Osteoporosis is characterized by low bone mass and structural deterioration of bone tissue, leading to bone fragility and increased susceptibility to fractures. It is often called the "silent disease" because bone loss occurs without symptoms. Over their lifetime, one of every two women and one of every eight men suffers an osteoporosis-related fracture!

Osteoporosis is totally preventable with a healthy lifestyle:

• Eat a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D.

• Perform weight-bearing exercises.

• Refrain from smoking and excessive alcohol use.

• Ask for a simple, painless, Bone Density Test at least every 5 years after age thirty.

• Take preventive medicine if appropriate.

Several medications are approved by the FDA for prevention and treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis. To learn about the results of experimental bone-building treatment and clinical advances, visit the National Osteoporosis Foundation’s website: www.nof.org.

Just as a muscle gets stronger and bigger the more you use it, a bone becomes stronger and denser when you place demands on it.

If your bones are not called upon to work, such as during physical activity, they do not receive any messages that they need to be strong. Thus, a lack of exercise, particularly as you get older, may contribute to lower bone mass or density.

You cannot see your bones respond to exercise, but when you strike a tennis ball or land on your feet after jumping, chemical messengers tell your arm and leg bones to be ready to handle that weight and impact again.

If you x-ray the arms of a tennis player, you would see that the bones in the playing arm are bigger and denser than the bones in the other arm.

Two types of exercises are important for building and maintaining bone mass and density: weight-bearing and resistance exercises. Jogging, walking, stair climbing, dancing and soccer are examples of weight-bearing exercise with different degrees of impact. Swimming and bicycling are not weight-bearing.

Resistance exercises, such as using free weights and weight machines found at gyms and health clubs, use muscular strength to improve muscle mass and strengthen bone. Daily activities and most sports involve a combination of these two types of exercises.

An active life-style and varied physical activities strengthens muscles and bones.

CAUTION: If you are frail, have had a fracture, fall frequently or have osteoporosis you should take extra caution. Certain movements like twisting of the spine, high impact aerobics or bending from the waist can be harmful. The National Osteoporosis Foundation recommends that you consult with a knowledgeable physician about your fracture risk before starting any exercise program.