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Osteoporosis FAQs (cont.)

What Causes Osteoporosis?

Bones may seem like hard and lifeless structures, but they are in fact living tissue. Old bone is constantly broken down (through a process called bony resorption) by our bodies, and new bone is deposited. Any time bone is broken down faster than it is deposited, low bone mass (osteopenia) and osteoporosis can occur. See What is Bone Loss? for more information.



Next: What are the Symptoms of Osteoporosis? »

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Osteoporosis »

Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disorder characterized by decreased bone mass and deterioration of bony microarchitecture.

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