Are your bones weak? Do you know someone older who accidentally
bumped their arm and ended up needing a sling? This type of
injury could have been caused by osteoporosis. Ten million
Americans have osteoporosis, and 34 million more have low bone
mass. Osteoporosis means your bones have lost density or mass.
As your bones become less dense, they become weaker. People
can’t feel their bones getting weaker. So, you may not know that
you have osteoporosis until you break a bone. A person with
osteoporosis can fracture a bone from a minor fall, or in
serious cases, from a simple action such as a sneeze. While
people of all ages and backgrounds can develop osteoporosis,
you’re at higher risk if you’re: - Older than 50 - Small in body
size - Eat a diet low in calcium - Not physically active - A
post-menopausal woman Medicare can help you prevent or detect
osteoporosis at an early stage, when treatment works best. Talk
to your doctor about getting a bone mass measurement–it may be
free. Also, take steps to keep your