Osteoporosis is a disease of the bones. It occurs as a result of too much bone loss from the body or too less production of bone. Thus, making the bones weaker.

There are few risk factors that increase the chance of developing osteoporosis:

• Increase in age
• Ethnicity
• Weight & Structure of bone
• Existing health condition
• Medicines
• Family history
• Poor diet

Diet modifications: Calcium can be obtained from various sources such as low-fat dairy products, fish, leafy green vegetables, and enriched juices, milk etc.

Lifestyle:

• Refrain from secondhand smoke.
• Quit smoking.

Regular exercise:

• Improve muscular mass and strength.
• Improve coordination and equilibrium.

Special exercises: Tai chi is a Chinese martial art. Tai chi belongs to the category of “soft” martial arts. In the Western world, it is gaining more popularity as a method for managing stress and promoting exercise.

Spinal fractures due to osteoporosis can lead to complications such as:

• Back pain that starts gradually or suddenly at the level of fracture.
• Upper back hunch due to vertebral fracture.
• Loss of height because of vertebral body fracture.
• Loss of instability and mobility in the daily chores of life due to weak bones.
• Lung and heart complications because of multiple factors that cause compression of the abdomen.