This document provides information about osteoporosis, including how to prevent and manage it. It defines osteoporosis as a condition where bones become fragile and easy to break. Risk factors include age over 50, post-menopause, family history, smoking, inactivity, and low calcium/vitamin D. Suggested prevention steps are consulting a doctor, taking medications, supplements, exercise, and a healthy diet. Untreated osteoporosis can lead to fractures, disability, and loss of independence through collapsed vertebrae. Bone density tests are recommended for those over 50 with breaks, and women over 65 and men over 70.

1. How to prevent falls?
 Move safely and slowly.
 Use handrails.
 Clear the walkways in your
house.
 Install grab bars on bathroom
walls.
 Keep your rooms well lit.
 Avoid alcohol and
medications that cause
dizziness and sedation.
How to manage
osteoporosis-related pain?
 Take your prescribed or over-
the-counter medications.
 Applying heat or cold.
 Acupuncture and massage can
be helpful.
 Being active can help reduce
pain effectively.
 Try relaxation techniques.
For more information
on improving your bone
health please visit the
National Osteoporosis
Foundation’s website at
www.nof.org
Pamphlet adapted fromthe National
Osteoporosis Foundation:
Learn about Osteoporosis.National
Osteoporosis Foundation.
http://nof.org/learn. Accessed
December 4, 2015
Created by Dien Vu, PharmD
Candidate 2016
Osteoporosis
Education
What is osteoporosis?
 Osteoporosis is a condition
that your bones become
fragile, porous, and easy to
break.
 Osteoporosis results from
body making too little or
losing too much bone.
Source: http://drsalinsky.com/bone-density-
clinic-center-for-bone-and-joint-540/

2. What are the risk factors
of osteoporosis?
 Men and women age over 50
 Post-menopausal
 If it runs in your family
 Excessive smoking or drinking
 Inactive lifestyle
 Low body weight (small, thin)
 Not enough calcium and
vitamin D in diet
Did you know?
 1 in 2 women and 1 in 4 men
break a bone due to
osteoporosis.
 Osteoporosis is silent. There
is no feeling of weak bones.
 52 million Americans have
weak bones or at high risk for
having osteoporosis.
 25% die within a year
after breaking a hip
What action steps to take
to prevent osteoporosis?
1. Check with your doctor in
regard to your bone health
2. Take your prescribed
medications
3. Take your recommended
amount of calcium and
vitamin D supplements
4. Engage in weight-bearing
exercises
5. Eat a healthy meal. For
example: low-fat yogurt,
cheese, and milk are rich in
calcium, while fish and orange
juice are rich in Vitamin D.
6. Avoid smoking
7. Limit alcohol and caffeine
intake
What if osteoporosis is
left untreated?
 Weakened bone can lead to
serious fractures, disability,
and loss of independence.
 Losing height
 Collapsing bones of the spine
causes hunched back
Who should get a bone
density test?
 Anyone age 50 and over who
broke a bone.
 Women age 65 and over
 Men age 70 and over
 Height loss of ½ inch or more
within one year