Osteoporosis

• Overview
   
• Symptoms
   
• Diagnosis & treatment
• Prevention
   
• Further information

In the UK, one in two women over the age of 50 will break a bone, mostly because of osteoporosis¹. Osteoporosis happens when our bones begin to thin and weaken, making them more prone to break or fracture after a minor fall or bump¹.

Our bones are made of a thick outer shell and a strong inner mesh, which looks similar to honeycomb¹. They are constantly being renewed by two types of cell – one that makes new bone and another that breaks down old bone¹. The process of bone growth and bone loss stays constant in adults until we hit 35 when bone loss increases due to ageing¹. When we reach the menopause, bone loss becomes even more rapid¹. By the time we get to 75, over half of us will have osteoporosis¹.

Drug treatments can help rebuild bone but there are many steps you can take to prevent bone loss¹.