Osteoporosis and the fractures associated with this condition can rob you of your mobility and independence. It is a disease that reduces the strength of your bones, causing them to become brittle and prone to breaking.

It is known as a woman’s disease – while men can be diagnosed with osteoporosis, it only affects approximately 2 million out of the 10 million diagnosed in the United States each year.

Approximately 50 percent of the women over the age of 50 have osteoporosis and are at risk for an osteoporosis-related fracture. A woman’s risk of a hip fracture alone is equal to the combined risk of developing breast, uterine and ovarian cancer. And sadly, over 20 percent of victims who suffer hip fractures die within a year of suffering the fracture.

Fortunately, today there are several ways to prevent and treat osteoporosis.

Are you at risk?

While anyone can be at risk for osteoporosis, there are certain people who are at risk more than others. You may have osteoporosis if you have or are:

• suffered a fracture after age 50
• Low bone mass
• Older than 50 years of age
• Gone through menopause
• Female
• A history of osteoporosis in your family
• An estrogen deficiency
• Thin or small-framed
• Suffered from anorexia at any time in your life
• Absence of menstrual periods prior to menopause
• (in men) low testosterone levels
• A vitamin D deficiency
• A calcium deficiency
• A sedentary lifestyle
• A hysterectomy before the age of 45
• A history of smoking cigarettes
• A history of excessive alcohol consumption over a period of time
• Taking or taken corticosteroids or anti-convulsants for a long period of time
• If you are Caucasian or Asian (there is a higher risk among these races)

If you have one or more of these risk factors, then you may be at risk for osteoporosis. You may want to discuss this information with your primary care physician in order to take a proactive approach before osteoporosis sets in and robs you of your life.