Osteoporosis affects over 500 million people worldwide

According to the International Osteoporosis Foundation, more than 500 million people globally live with osteoporosis, a systemic skeletal disease characterized by low bone mass and deterioration of bone tissue. Because the condition often progresses for years without causing pain, it is frequently described as a silent disease.

Key warning signs include fractures resulting from minor falls or impacts, loss of height by at least three centimeters, a hunched posture, and persistent back pain. Risk factors include aging, female sex (particularly post-menopause), family history, sedentary lifestyles, smoking, and diets low in calcium and vitamin D. Statistics indicate that one in five men and one in three women over the age of 50 are prone to osteoporotic fractures, most commonly in the spine, wrist, and hip.

Medical professionals recommend bone densitometry (DEXA) scans to measure mineral density in the hip and spine. Prevention strategies include maintaining a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D, engaging in physical activities such as walking or light weightlifting, avoiding tobacco, limiting alcohol, and modifying home environments to reduce trip hazards.