Osteoporosis is a disease in which bones become brittle and more likely to break. Women are 4 times as likely as men to suffer from this condition.

 Risk factors include:

 1. Small thin frame.

2. Caucasian or Asian descent.

3. A history of you or a family member having broken a bone as an adult.

4. Postmenopausal.

5. Early or surgically induced menopause.

6. History of taking high doses of Thyroid, immunosuppressive or chemotherapy medications.

7. Diet low in calcium and or dairy products.

8. Physically inactive.

9. History of smoking or drinking alcohol in excess. 

As many as 10 million people (8 million women) will suffer from this disease this year. Women can lose up to 20% of bone mass in the 5-7 years following menopause. 

Be sure to get a Bone Density Test for diagnosis, and make sure you are getting enough Calcium, Vitamin D and doing weight bearing exercises.