Page 44 - Robeson Living Winter2019

Osteoporosis

By Dr. Damon C Blackley
I was sitting in my office this week trying to decide what to The definition of osteoporosis is the thinning of bone tissue and
write an article about. Nothing was coming to me, so I decided loss of bone density over time. It is the most common type of
to check with my good friend Google. Google quickly informed bone disease in the country. It is estimated that approximately
me that November is National Bone Marrow Awareness Month. 1 out of 5 American women over the age of 50 already have os-
(It is also the national month for gratitude, diabetes and banana teoporosis. Additionally, about half of all women over 50 years
pudding lovers, just in case you were wondering.) I thought that old will have a fracture of the hip, wrist, or spine. Osteoporosis
this would be a good opportunity to discuss another condition usually occurs gradually over many years. Due to this fact, many
that affects the bones of a large portion of the population. This people will have a fracture before they even know that they have
condition is called osteoporosis and this article will educate you osteoporosis. By this time the disease is usually very advanced,
on what osteoporosis is, who it affects and why, as well as some and the damage is severe.
tips to help prevent it.
Osteoporosis can occur in two different ways or a combination of

Page 44 Robeson Living ~ Winter 2019