What Is Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is a disease that causes weak, thinning bones. This leaves the bones at greater risk of breaking. The bones most often affected are the hips, spine and wrists.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a disease that causes your bones to weaken. The weakened bones are more susceptible to fractures and may cause pain during regular activity. Osteoporosis can affect men and women, but postmenopausal women are at higher risk for fractures associated with osteoporosis.
Caring for your bones becomes more important as you age. As you age the body loses more bone than it makes. If too much bone is lost, you may be at risk for fractures. The quality and quantity of bone also decreases with age.
Staying active and increasing your calcium intake can decrease bone loss due to aging. Consult a Northwestern Medicine physician before using calcium supplements and other osteoporosis treatments.
Northwestern Medicine combines skilled care with advanced technologies to help you recover more quickly, stay healthier and grow stronger.
Meet the Teams
Conditions
- Glucocorticoid Induced Osteoporosis
- Men and Women With Osteoporosis
- Metabolic Bone Disease
- Metabolic Bone Disease Associated With Chronic Gastrointestinal Diseases
- Metabolic Bone Disease Associated With Eating Disorders
- Metabolic Bone Disease Associated With Hypercalciuria
- Osteogenesis Imperfecta
- Osteomalacia
- Paget's Disease
- Post-transplant Metabolic Bone Disease
- Premenopausal Osteoporosis
- Previous Fractures
- Primary Hyperparathyroidism
- Rickets
Looking for a Second Opinion?
It's vital that you're comfortable with your treatment decision and have confidence in your doctor. For these reasons, a second opinion with another specialist can help you make smart treatment decisions.
Program for Women's Bone Health
At the Northwestern Medicine Program for Women's Bone Health, we identify patients at high risk for developing osteoporosis and provide individualized treatment options.
WGN Radio Interview: Women's Bone Health
Dr. Kristi Tough DeSapri talks to Chicago's Afternoon News about the importance of screening, prevention and solutions to optimize your bone health.
Preventing Osteoporosis: Avoiding Bone Loss
Certain factors can speed up bone loss or decrease bone loss. Alcohol is toxic to bones. It is a major cause of bone loss.
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