What is osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is a condition resulting in fragile bones that are prone to fracture, usually in the hip, wrist and spine. It affects us as we get older with one in two women and one in five men in the UK suffering a broken bone after the age of 50, mainly as a result of osteoporosis*.
Our bones are made up of a thick outer shell with a honeycomb of bone tissue inside. This structure makes them strong but lightweight. Throughout our lives bone tissue is continuously broken down and replaced with new cells to keep our bones healthy. When we are young we create more tissue than we lose, resulting in peak bone density when we are around 30 or 40. After that, we lose more cells than we generate, especially after the menopause, and our bones become less dense. With osteoporosis the tissue loses so much density that bones become weak and break very easily.
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| Healthy bone of a 30 year old woman |
Osteoporatic bone of a 70 year old woman |
| © Tim Arnett University College London |
Osteoporosis often has no symptoms until you suffer a fracture following a minor bump or fall. But it is possible to see if you have osteoporosis, or if you are likely to develop it, through osteoporosis screening.
Osteoporosis is often preventable if the signs are caught early. Even if you already have osteoporosis there are steps you can take to help prevent fractures and strengthen bones. The results of your BMI osteoporosis screen will give your GP the information they need to help you develop an appropriate prevention or treatment plan for you.
* The Osteoporosis Society
