International Nurses Association

The word osteoporosis means porous bone. This condition can develop when the body makes too little or in some cases no bone.   Viewed under a microscope, it's easy to see the honeycomb design rather than solid bone.   When bones lose density and mass, they begin to develop an abnormal tissue structure, become weakened and can break. In most cases, anyone over 50 that breaks a bone will undergo a test for osteoporosis, referred to as a bone density test.   Related: Medical Care over the Decades Osteoporosis Statistics About 54 million Americans have osteoporosis and low bone mass, placing them at increased risk for osteoporosis. Studies suggest that approximately one in two women and up to one in four men age 50 and older will break a bone due to osteoporosis. Breaking a bone is a serious complication of osteoporosis, especially in older patients. Osteoporotic bone breaks are more likely to occur in the hip, spine or wrist, but other bones can break too. In additio