Bones contain cross-linked collagen,
calcium, and phosphorous, which makes
them hard, dense, and strong. Osteoporosis
is a Latin term literally meaning “porous
bone” and is characterized by a loss of
calcium hydroxyapatite and collagen matrix.
This loss causes them to become less dense,
more fragile, and more easily broken. The
loss of collagen crosslinking cannot be
reversed, but the calcium hydroxyapatite can
be replaced with calcium supplements,
through weight-bearing exercise, and sometimes
with other medications. Healthcare
practitioners perform both the initial diagnosis
and monitor the progress of their
treatment by measuring the density of the
bone using modified imaging technology.