Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by decreased bone mass, or weak bones. It affects 25 million Americans, and 80 percent of them are women. This weakened bone state can lead to shortened stature, as well as broken hips, wrists and other fractures from walls. And the winter weather and the icy, slippery conditions it provides makes this an especially dangerous time for those with osteoporosis. Some risk factors for osteoporosis cannot be prevented.
Most sufferers are post-menopausal females who are either Caucasian or Asian.
Many also have a family history of the disease. But smoking and alcohol abuse are other activities that can increase the rate of bone loss that becomes osteoporosis. At that time, you lose about one percent per year. Once you reach menopause, the bone loss can reach a rate of six percent a year. One way to prevent bone weakening is to increase your intake of calcium.