20 October is World Osteoporosis Day

Love Your Bones | Protect Your Future

What is World Osteoporosis Day?

World Osteoporosis Day (WOD), marked on October 20 each year, is a nine month long campaign dedicated to raising global awareness of the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis and metabolic bone disease. It aims to put bone, muscle and joint health on the global health agenda and reaches out to health-care professionals, the media, policy makers and the public at large.

What is Osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a bone disease that occurs when the body loses too much bone, makes too little bone, or both. As a result, bones become weak and may break from a fall or, in serious cases, from sneezing or minor bumps.

Osteoporosis means “porous bone.” Viewed under a microscope, healthy bone looks like a honeycomb. When osteoporosis occurs, the holes and spaces in the honeycomb are much larger than in healthy bone. Osteoporotic bones have lost density or mass and contain abnormal tissue structure. As bones become less dense, they weaken and are more likely to break.

If you’re 50 or older and have broken a bone, ask your doctor or healthcare provider about a bone density test.

Facts about Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is very common. About 54 million Americans have osteoporosis and low bone mass, placing them at increased risk for osteoporosis. Studies suggest that approximately one in two women and up to one in four men age 50 and older will break a bone due to osteoporosis
Can't be cured, but treatment may help
Requires a medical diagnosis
Lab tests or imaging always required
Chronic: can last for years or be lifelong
Many people have no symptoms until they have a bone fracture