What is Osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a condition that means your bones are weak, and you're more likely to break a bone. Since there are no symptoms, you might not know your bones are getting weaker until you break a bone! You can't "catch" osteoporosis or give it to someone else. 'Osteoporosis' literally means 'porous bones' and is often referred to as the 'fragile bone disease' in an increased risk of fractures of the hip, spine, and wrist. Osteoporosis is often called a "silent" disease because it has no discernable symptoms until there is a bone fracture.