Osteoporosis Medications
Medical Author:
Mary L Windle, PharmD
Medical Editor:
Kristine M Lohr, MD
Medical Editor:
Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD
Medical Editor:
Lee P Shulman, MD
What Is Osteoporosis?Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by low bone mass and loss of bone tissue that leads to weak and fragile bones. |
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Osteoporosis Medications
What Is Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis (meaning porous bone) is a bone disease in which bone loss occurs, so that bones become weak and are more likely to break. Without prevention or treatment, osteoporosis can progress without pain or symptoms until a bone breaks (fractures). Fractures from osteoporosis commonly occur in the hip, spine, ribs, and wrist.
What Causes Osteoporosis?
Bones may seem like hard and lifeless structures, but they are in fact living tissue. Old bone is constantly broken down and remodeled (through a process called bony resorption) by our bodies, while new bone is simultaneously deposited. When bone is broken down faster than it is deposited, low bone mass (osteopenia) and osteoporosis can occur.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Osteoporosis?
In many people, low bone mass (osteopenia) and osteoporosis occur without any symptoms. In people with osteoporosis, a simple everyd...
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Osteoporosis: Treatment & Medication »
Osteoporosis is typically asymptomatic until a fracture occurs.
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