Osteoporosis is often referred to as a “silent” disease since those who have it may not show any symptoms until a bone breaks. Even a minor accident like slipping on a wet floor or tripping on a rug can instantly change your life.
Bones are made of living tissue, and old bone is constantly being broken down (by cells called osteoclasts) and replaced with new bone (by cells called osteoblasts). When more bone is broken down than replaced, osteoporosis can develop, increasing fracture risk.