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KIRKSVILLE, MO -- May is Osteoporosis Month and many of you wanted to know more about it for Thursday’s Facebook Story of the day.

Osteoporosis is a common, serious, and costly disease to have and can lead to an increased risk of bone fractures. Generally people develop this over time and most often don’t even know they have it until their bones become so weak that a sudden bump or fall causes a fracture.

“Osteoporosis is a chronic progressive disease of the bones where essentially you lose weight and density in the bones. They slowly get weaker through the loss of minerals in the bones. There’s not a sign or symptom you have with osteoporosis typically other then someone has a fracture from weakened bones. So unfortunately people usually can’t tell its coming without testing for it,” says ATSU Assistant Professor of Family Medicine Wesley Ryle, MD.

Half of all women and one in four men will have an osteoporosis related fracture in their lifetime. Certain risk factors are linked to an increased chance of development including your ethnicity, body size and lifestyle.

While you can not reverse the effects of osteoporosis, you can prevent it from getting worse with certain medications and healthy habits. Other drugs such as Depo-Provera for birth control, can actually cause a weakening in bones over time.

If you are concerned about drugs you are taking, have a family history of osteoporosis, or are over the age of 50 it is recommended you talk to your doctor at your next check up. It is important to know that osteoporosis is a preventable and treatable disease. Early diagnosis and treatment can reduce or even prevent fractures.