Osteoporosis weakens bones and increases the risk of unexpected fractures. Serious consequences can occur with some fractures.

Menopause, heredity, a low-calcium diet, lack of exercise, and smoking are among the factors that contribute to osteoporosis.

Think of osteopenia as a midpoint between having healthy bones and having osteoporosis.

 It’s possible for children and teens to develop juvenile osteoporosis. This most often happens between ages 8 and 14.

Your age, gender, family history, and ethnicity all play a role in how likely you are to get osteoporosis.

A healthy diet and certain types of exercise, among other things, can help to cut your osteoporosis risk.

Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium. And we need more vitamin D as we get older. Are you getting enough?

A range of treatments and healthy habits can slow osteopenia (weakened bones) and prevent osteoporosis.

A bone mineral density test examines segments of your bone through X-rays to detect osteoporosis.

One of the most common osteoporosis tests is dual X-ray absorptiometry -- also called DXA or DEXA.

When should you get a bone density test? Read guidelines from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.

Bone densitometry is a test like an X-ray that quickly and accurately measures the density of bone.

Along with a healthy diet and exercise, you can treat osteoporosis with meds that help your bones to stay as strong as possible.

Prolia, a biannual injection, treats osteoporosis by increasing bone mass and reducing fracture risk in men and postmenopausal women.

Some people say the supplement strontium improves bone health, but it’s important to consider its benefits and risks.

Selective estrogen receptor modulators are a class of estrogen-boosting drugs used to treat osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.

Forteo (teriparatide) is the only FDA-approved osteoporosis medication that builds bone.