| Osteoporosis is commonly referred to as the silent | | | | circles have estimated that the incidence will double in |
| disease because many people do not realize that they | | | | the next 30 years. As well as having a significant |
| have it until they are either diagnosed with the condition | | | | effect upon the populations health, osteoporosis also |
| by a doctor, or they suffer a bone fracture. The | | | | has a large economical cost to the taxpayer, with it |
| condition itself is a systematic skeletal disease that | | | | estimated to add $4.5 billion to the cost of running |
| results in a thinning of the bones, and changes within | | | | health services. |
| the bone architecture. The skeletal thinning is largely | | | | As many people do not realize that they have |
| due to changes in how the body is able to absorb | | | | osteoporosis until it has been diagnosed it is often the |
| calcium and remodel new bone tissue as people age; | | | | case that people are aware of the many preventative |
| many of these changes are hormonal in nature. It has | | | | measures that can be taken until it is too late. This |
| been estimated that over ten million people in USA | | | | means that many people will need to rely on |
| have osteoporosis. | | | | expensive medications to cope with the condition; |
| The thinning of skeletal tissue results in an increase in | | | | many of which are known to have side effects. Some |
| the risk of a person suffering a fracture following a fall, | | | | of the natural steps to lower the risk of getting |
| and it has been estimated that one in eight women | | | | osteoporosis include increasing the amount of vitamin |
| over the age of 50 with osteoporosis will suffer a | | | | D and calcium in the diet, and performing weight |
| spine fracture in a given year, and a woman will have | | | | bearing exercises such as walking and gardening. |
| a 40% chance of some kind of fracture in her lifetime. | | | | In conclusion, it is thought that by educating young |
| The condition also affects men, 13% of whom are | | | | people, many of whom are not aware of the |
| likely to suffer a osteoporotic fracture in their lifetime. | | | | osteoporosis condition, about the simple steps that can |
| As bone generally weakens with age, and the | | | | be taken to lower the risk of getting the disease will |
| average life span is increasing, it follows that the | | | | result in a better quality of life, and a lower economical |
| occurrence of hip fractures is likely to increase, some | | | | burden when they reach old age. |