Researched by Marianne I
Submitted June 2001

Everyone can be hit by osteoporosis; it can affect young and old, women and men; it can break bones and immobilize people; it can change lives. But it can be slowed down and it even can be prevented. Experts in America estimate that 20 million American women have osteoporosis or are at risk, as are 2 to 5 million American men. Over the age of 50, one in two American women and one in eight American men have debilitating problems caused be osteoporosis. The lifetime odds of an American woman over the age of 50 of breaking a bone due to osteoporosis is one in two. The present statistics for German women show that one out of three will develop osteoporosis. For German men it is presently seventeen percent (1 out of 6). Or stated another way, an estimated total of five to seven million people are affected with osteoporosis just in Germany. It is anticipated that these statistics will increase with time due to lifestyle changes and the increase in the average age of the population. These statistics show what a major public health problem this chronic illness is. That is why the decade 2000 – 2010 has been declared by the Deutsche Liga as the Bone and Joint Decade. The purpose is to improve awareness and encourage healthier lifestyle changes for all age groups. Fortunately, the severity of osteoporosis can be reduced with preventive measures and early intervention.

• Description of Osteoporosis


• What Exactly Is Osteoporosis?


• Critical Periods for Bone Loss


• Pandora and Her Family


• Who Is at Risk?


• Lifestyle Factors




• Testing


• Specific Tests


• Interpreting the Results




• Prevention and Treatments


• Exercise


• Diet


• Medication




• References


• Websites


• Books


• Articles

First of all I want to thank Dr. Christine Schüler, M.D., for being so generous in sharing her time and being the medical consultant on this article.

Special thanks are also extended to Pandora for providing the majority of resource materials for use in this article. In addition, she shared her and her husband's medical histories and their experiences with us. If that is not enough, Pandora and her husband also took their precious vacation time to review this article for accuracy.

Finally, a special thank you to Bernd for being so patient, kind, enduring, and helpful.