30/10/2026
Myth: Osteoporosis is an inevitable part of aging.
Fact: While bone density naturally decreases as you get older, osteoporosis is a medical condition—not a guaranteed outcome of growing older. Proper nutrition, resistance exercise, and lifestyle habits can protect bone strength. However ci******es and heavy alcohol consumption, a sedentary lifestyle, being underweight, vitamin D deficiency, and going through menopause before age 45 are all osteoporosis risk factors that are not age dependent.
Myth:Osteopenia is a disease that always turns into osteoporosis.
Fact: Osteopenia means your bone density is lower than normal, but it is not a disease. Many people with osteopenia never develop osteoporosis, and it does not automatically require medication.
Myth: Only older white women get osteoporosis.
Fact: While women are more commonly affected due to postmenopausal estrogen drops, men also develop osteoporosis and suffer fragility fractures. People of all races and ages can be affected.
Myth: You would feel it if your bones were getting weaker (it hurts).
Fact: Osteoporosis is a silent disease. It causes no pain or symptoms until a bone actually breaks—often from a minor bump or a fall from standing height.
Myth: Osteoporosis and osteoarthritis are the same thing.
Fact: They sound similar, but they are completely different. Osteoporosis affects the inner structure and density of the bones (making them porous and fragile), whereas osteoarthritis is a “wear-and-tear” condition affecting the joints and cartilage.
Myth: Drinking milk and taking calcium alone will prevent weak bones.
Fact: Calcium is important, but your skeleton also requires adequate vitamin D for absorption, sufficient protein for bone matrix and muscle support, and regular weight-bearing/resistance exercise and impact training to stimulate bone remodeling.
Myth: A DEXA scan tells you everything about your fracture risk.
Fact: A dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan measures bone mineral density (T-score), which is vital, but overall fracture risk also depends on age, family history, previous fractures, fall history, and clinical risk factors
