Definition: Osteoporosis is a bone disease in which bone mineral density and bone mass drop, or bone structure and strength change, so bones break more easily. NIAMS calls it a silent disease because there are usually no symptoms until a bone breaks. Osteopenia, the NCI says, is a milder form of low bone mass.
NIAMS says fractures happen most often in the hip, spine and wrist, and that osteoporosis is the major cause of fractures in postmenopausal women and older men. It is usually found by screening with a bone mineral density test. The most common test is DXA, and DXA at the hip and spine is generally considered the most reliable way to diagnose it and predict fracture risk.
Bisphosphonate labels warn about jaw bone death and unusual thigh fractures, and say people at low fracture risk may be considered for stopping after 3 to 5 years.
Many bone medicines are weekly or monthly, with strict rules about food and water. Logging each dose and the date of each scan shows how long you have been on treatment, which the labels use when discussing a pause.
Read more on Dose Track: Osteoporosis medicines for men · How long can you take bisphosphonates · Calcium and vitamin D with bone medicines · Fosamax side effects