Osteoporosis - an insidious and crippling skeletal disease characterized
by low bone mass, systemic deterioration of bone tissue, and increase in
bone fragility and susceptibility to fracture - has now reached epidemic
proportions among postmenopausal women. This excellent collection of
recent articles by specialists from medicine, nursing, nutrition,
exercise physiology, physical therapy, and demography addresses the many
challenges of a disease that for too long has been dismissed as a normal
part of aging.
The volume first presents compelling statistics on the incidence and
personal, social, and financial impact of this often preventable and
treatable disease. Personal portraits then give a face and voice to
those behind the statistics who are forced to cope with bent and fragile
bones that may give way suddenly and painfully. Finally, encouraging
information is offered on recent diagnostic and treatment breakthroughs
that enhance doctors' ability to prevent and detect osteoporosis and
better manage its unwelcome consequences.
Written in an accessible manner, this highly informative reference work
will be of great interest to all women, especially those diagnosed with
osteoporosis and their loved ones.