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Good health begins with a strong foundation. Our bones are the foundation of our body and caring for them is often ignored or sometimes forgotten. The skeletal system is comprised of 206 bones that provide structure, support, and protect our organs.  Strong bones allow is to walk, run, dance, exercise, and give us mobility.

Osteoporosis is a bone disease caused when we lose too much bone mineral density, make too little new bone tissue, or both. As a result, bones weaken and may break from a fall, or even a sneeze, minor bumps or impact.

Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month highlights and encourages an understanding of the risk factors associated with this disease. According to American Bone Health 54 million Americans have low bone mass causing over a million broken bones each year, and 25% of hip fractures lead to death within 12 months. Osteoporosis causes more hospitalizations and higher health care costs than heart attack, stroke, diabetes, and breast cancer.

Children experience rapid bone density growth simply by playing, running, jumping, and falling. When we reach about age 30 our bone density growth is complete, and we begin losing bone tissue each year. Although women do comprise the majority of Americans who suffer from osteoporosis, men are still at risk.

According to Science Daily.

“Even though men are less likely to have routine osteoporosis screenings when compared to their female counterparts, in reality, both men and women are at risk for the disease.”