Are You at Risk for Osteoporosis?
Do you think that osteoporosis is a disease of older women, or that osteoporosis is an inevitable part of getting older? If so, you are not alone! Truth is, osteoporosis is a disease that should concern women of all ages. Osteoporosis has its beginnings in childhood and adolescence, while bones are still growing -- long before most people give thought to their later years.
As an individual ages, the personal, economic and medical implications of osteoporosis become greater. It is estimated that 20 million Americans have osteoporosis, but that only 4 million of them have been diagnosed with the disease, and that only 1 million are being treated for it. Currently, the cost of osteoporosis fractures and related complications in the United States exceeds $18 billion a year. (Source: Osteoporosis: Epidemiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment)
Osteoporosis is considered a "silent" disease -- one that is associated with few warning signs in the early stages. Therefore, by the time a bone fracture occurs, the disease is often quite advanced. Preventing osteoporosis is preferable to treating it. So, what can you do to prevent osteoporosis from affecting you? Are there lifestyle factors that you can change or modify to reduce your risk? Our quiz can help you to identify your risk of osteoporosis, give you some insight into risk factors and show you what you can do to prevent this disease.
