What Is Osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is defined by the World Health Organization as either a bone mineral density at a 2.5 standard deviation below peak bone mass as per 20-year old person standard as measured by DXA or any fragility fracture. It is a disease in which bones become delicate and thus are more likely to fracture. The bone mineral density is lowered, the amount of non-collagenous proteins changes and the bone micro architecture is disrupted.

Both men and women can suffer from osteoporosis, but because it is affected by hormones, it is more common amongst post menopause women. It affects all bones of the body, but most affected are the hip, spine and wrist. If a person fractures his or her hips, which is the most common fracture among patients of osteoporosis, hospitalization and surgery become unavoidable. It can disable a person permanently or lead to death. When affecting the spinal column it can result in severe back pain, deformity and loss of height.

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