Osteoporosis makes bones weaker, which means even a small fall or bump could lead to a fracture (broken bone). Over time, this weakening of bones can cause pain and changes in posture, and it can make everyday activities harder. Identifying osteoporosis early is key to managing its effects and staying active in your daily life.

What Is Osteoporosis?

Throughout life, bones are constantly remodeled — broken down and rebuilt. When we are young, we tend to build bone at a faster rate. Our bones are densest around age 30 and after that, the bone density slowly lowers. As we age, lowered hormone levels and other changes slow the rate of bone formation, and we lose bone faster than we build it. As long as we try to maintain an active life and exercise frequently, our maximum bone density will be higher. Osteoporosis makes bones less dense and more porous and delicate. In someone with advanced osteoporosis, bones can be so weak that even a simple fall, cough, or sneeze can cause a fracture.

Although some bone loss is normal as we age, certain factors can increase the risk of developing osteoporosis. These include inherited genes, environmental influences like diet, smoking, weight gain, lack of physical activity, certain medications, and specific health conditions.

Read more about the causes of osteoporosis.

The History of Osteoporosis

Throughout history, weak bones and bone fractures from osteoporosis were assumed to be a normal biological part of aging, like graying hair and wrinkles. Per an article in Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research, physicians noticed that women were more likely to experience bone fractures.

Osteoporosis is Greek for porous bones. The term “osteoporosis” was first coined by American physician Fuller Albright, who described osteoporosis as a postmenopausal hormonal deficiency. In 1942, Albright led a team of researchers in testing estrogen hormone replacement therapy in women with osteoporosis. Estrogen showed a slight improvement in strengthening bones, but researchers concluded that osteoporosis can’t be reversed.

In the 1960s, British doctor B. E. Christopher Nordin began to study the role of calcium in osteoporosis. He found that calcium, like estrogen therapy, offered a slight improvement in strengthening osteoporotic bones, but that it could not reverse osteoporosis. This finding led Nordin to create a way to measure bone strength, called bone densitometry. He used the bone health of young adults as the baseline to compare how strong or weak someone’s bones are.

The risk of fractures increases when bone density drops below the healthy range. Nordin’s discovery changed how osteoporosis was studied and shifted the focus to preventing bone loss before it happens. Nordin and others showed how calcium, vitamin D, and hormone therapy like estrogen can help prevent osteoporosis. Today, doctors and researchers are working to make osteoporosis prevention a priority. They’re raising awareness and helping people take simple steps, like making lifestyle changes and using effective treatments, to protect their bones and lower the risk of fractures.

In the 21st century, researchers introduced new treatments that help lower the risk of fractures for people with osteoporosis. Bisphosphonates such as alendronic acid (Alendronate) and risendronic acid (Risedronate), the hormone calcitonin, and the newer biologic drug denosumab (Prolia) were found to help prevent the breakdown of bone and preserve bone density. Hormone-based treatments teriparatide (Forteo) and abaloparatide (Tymlos) stimulate the body to build up the bones. Many new treatments for osteoporosis are in the development pipeline today.

How Common Is Osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is extremely common, especially in people over 50. Research from the National Osteoporosis Foundation has found that approximately half of women and one-quarter of men over 50 are estimated to have osteoporosis, putting them at risk for fractures.

Some diseases and medications can cause osteoporosis to develop in younger people. Read more about the types of osteoporosis.

How Does Osteoporosis Progress?

Osteoporosis usually starts without any signs, so you may not notice it for years. Most people don’t realize they have osteoporosis until their first fracture. This makes it important to stay aware of your bone health and talk to your doctor if you’re at risk, so you can protect your bones before anything happens.

Can You Die From Osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is not a fatal condition. Most people with osteoporosis live a normal lifespan and die from the same things most people die from such as heart disease, cancer, lung disease, Alzheimer’s disease, etc. Some studies from The FASEB Journal, which features research reviewed by specialists in the field, suggest that fractures — especially hip fractures — caused by osteoporosis can contribute to a shortened life expectancy. This effect is particularly noted in men. Evidence shows that treating osteoporosis lowers the risk of a shortened life span.

How Is Osteoporosis Diagnosed?

Doctors diagnose osteoporosis by scanning your bones to measure bone mineral density. The most common type of scan to measure bone mineral density is dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA).

Learn more about the process of diagnosing osteoporosis.

What Are the Symptoms of Osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis does not usually cause any symptoms before the first fracture occurs. Fractures can lead to long-term pain, loss of height, posture deformity, and mobility problems.

Learn more about osteoporosis symptoms.

How Is Osteoporosis Treated?

Different types of medications help protect bones by slowing down bone loss and promoting the growth of new bone. These treatments are designed to keep bones strong and reduce the risk of fractures.

Good nutrition, exercise, and calcium and vitamin D supplements can help support healthy bones. Spinal surgery can help some people with spinal fractures caused by osteoporosis.

Learn more about osteoporosis treatments.

Talk to Your Doctor

Although osteoporosis can’t be fully reversed, there are treatments and lifestyle changes that can help slow down osteoporosis and protect your bones. By staying on top of your bone health and making small changes, like taking medication, exercising, and getting enough calcium and vitamin D, you can reduce your risk of fractures and keep living an active, healthy life. Be sure to talk to your doctor about any concerns, and together you can find the best plan to support your bone health.

Find Your Team

On MyOsteoTeam, the social network for people with osteoporosis and their loved ones, more than 62,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with osteoporosis.

Have you been diagnosed with osteoporosis? What steps are you taking to keep your bones healthy as you age? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.