Part 1: Understanding Osteoporosis

Yes, the correct answer was "false."

Living with osteoporosis can definitely take the pleasure out of a person's life and make even small tasks inconvenient and troublesome. Very simple activities such as sneezing, bending to pick up a bag of groceries or even stepping off a doorstep can result in a broken bone. As stated earlier, hip fractures (a common broken bone) can lead to permanent disability, loss of independence and can even result in death.

People with osteoporosis often lose several centimeters in height as fractured vertebrae in their spine begin to collapse, leading to a "dowager's hump." Osteoporosis-related fractures of the vertebrae will heal, however the bones do not return to their original shape. Once healed, the vertebral fractures become compressed or flattened, eventually resulting in stooped posture with subsequent loss of height and continual pain.

Having a frail body as a result of broken bones can lead to chronic pain and constant anxiety.