Osteoporosis and the elderly

Although osteoporosis can affect younger people, it is mainly associated with aging. In the condition known as osteoporosis, the bones of the body lose much of their calcium and mineral content, causing them to thin and making them susceptible to fractures.
It can strike men but women are the most at risk as the process of bone mineral loss speeds up after the menopause. Regular exercise, such as walking, running, aerobics or racquet sports, and a healthy, balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamin D are important in preventing osteoporosis. Research shows that those who remain active into old age are less likely to suffer from this condition. The most commonly prescribed conventional treatments are calcium by mouth and hormone replacement therapy, or HRT.