Known as the “silent disease,” osteoporosis occurs when the bones become thin and weakened, often as a natural part of aging. This is because as bones age, bone breaks down and absorbs faster than new bone forms.

Most individuals will experience osteoporosis after age 60, but it can happen at any age.

Women who have gone through menopause are at an increased risk for developing osteoporosis due to declining estrogen levels. It is recommended that women age 65 and older have a dual energy X-ray absorptiometry scan to screen for osteoporosis.

Though osteoporosis is a very prevalent condition, affecting millions of adults, most people with osteoporosis won’t exhibit any symptoms until they break a bone.

Those with osteoporosis are at high risk of developing broken bones, even with minimal trauma. The most susceptible areas for fracture are the spine, hips and forearms.

To build healthy bones:

>> Engage in aerobic, resistance and weight-bearing exercises, such as push-ups, lunges, weightlifting, and walking or jogging.

>> Eat foods that are rich in calcium and vitamin D, such as milk, yogurt, cheese, broccoli, Chinese cabbage, tofu, salmon and fortified cereals.

>> Limit alcohol consumption. Heavy alcohol use decreases bone formation. Women should have no more than one drink a day, and men should have no more than two drinks per day.

>> Don’t smoke. If you do, quit. Smoking reduces bone density and increases the rate of bone loss.

Falls are among the leading causes of fractures. In Hawai‘i, there are 188 percent more fall- related hospitalizations among older adults than hospitalizations due to motor vehicle accident injuries for all ages combined. Falls cause 1,990 hospitalizations and more than 5,700 emergency department visits each year in Hawaii.

Reduce your risk of falls by:

>> Having your vision and hearing checked regularly.

>> Improving your balance with coordination exercises.

>> Wearing slippers or shoes with nonskid soles.

>> Creating a safe home by removing clutter, repairing loose flooring and carpeting and keeping areas brightly lit.

Learn more about osteoporosis during Getting a Grip on Arthritis, a free community event from 8:30 a.m. to noon Saturday in the Ala Moana Hotel. My colleagues from the Hawai‘i Pacific Health Bone & Joint Centers and I will be discussing methods to help you manage your bone and joint health.

To register or for more information, visit HawaiiPacificHealth.org/GettingAGrip.

Dr. Sian Yik Lim is a Straub Medical Center rheumatologist who has a special interest in osteoporosis, gout and ultrasound-guided joint injections. He is a certified clinical densitometrist certified by the International Society of Clinical Densitometry.