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OsteoporosisOsteoporosis is a disease in which bones become fragile and more likely to break. If not prevented or if left untreated, osteoporosis can progress painlessly until a bone breaks. These broken bones, also known as fractures, occur typically in the hip, spine, and wrist.Any bone can be affected, but of special concern are fractures of the hip and spine. A hip fracture almost always requires hospitalization and major surgery. It can impair a person's ability to walk unassisted and may cause prolonged or permanent disability or even death. Spinal or vertebral fractures also have serious consequences, including loss of height, severe back pain, and deformity. Women are four times more likely than men to develop the disease, men also suffer from osteoporosis. A woman's body produces less estrogen during and after menopause, which may affect her bone strength. Women taking HRT have shown to have 34% fewer hip fractures and 24% fewer fractures than women not receiving hormones. Short-term use of HRT to relieve symptoms at the time of menopause does little to prevent fractures in women when they reach 75-80 years of age. Women who take estrogen to maintain bone density must continue taking estrogen because when it is discontinued, the beneficial effects on bones disappear. As always, women who are considering taking HRT to prevent osteoporosis should discuss with their physician their individual risk of coronary heart disease, stroke, blood clots, and breast cancer. Supplemental calcium and increasing Vitamin D intake may instead be recommended for some women to help prevent and treat loss of bone mass. There are other lifestyle changes that a woman can make such as adding an exercise regimen to your routine and not smoking. These things may also help in the prevention of osteoporosis.
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