Osteoporosis affects both men and women and is a preventable disease.
Authors:
Robert J. Pignolo, Jr., M.D., Ph.D. is Professor of Medicine and Chair, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology, Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, Rochester, MN.
Osteoporosis is a systemic bone disorder characterized by low bone mass and microarchitectural deterioration of bone tissue that results in an increase in bone fragility and susceptibility to fracture. Osteoporosis should be considered a diagnosis of exclusion because often there are multiple etiologies for bone loss and these underlying secondary causes should first be treated. should be considered a diagnosis of exclusion because often there are multiple etiologies for bone loss and these underlying secondary causes should first be treated.