The age-related change that concerns me the most is osteoporosis. The bones in our body are living tissues and there is a continuous process of replacement and reabsorption. When this process is interrupted in such a way that new bone does not follow the removal of old bone, osteoporosis can occur. Studies tell us that both men and women are affected, but postmenopausal Caucasian and Asian women are at higher risk of developing this bone disease. This makes bones brittle and weak, so even a small fall causes a fracture. In more serious cases, this breakage can sometimes occur through coughing, or by leaning the wrong way. Osteoporosis is associated with repeated fractures, tender bones, neck and back pain, reduced height and poor posture. Various factors contribute to the development of osteoporosis. These include calcium deficiency, likely due to poor diet, aging and old age, the loss of estrogen that accompanies the onset of menopause in women, as well as genetics. There are several other diseases that contribute to osteoporosis, such as Cushing's disease and rheumatoid arthritis. There are 40 million Americans who struggle with the disease, both men and women, although women are more likely to develop it due to the loss of estrogen during and after menopause. Loss of estrogen is a major factor in bone formation. Other factors include family members who have had the disease, smoking, and taking certain medications such as prednisone. There is no known treatment for fibromyalgia, but realizing the susceptibility I have to developing osteoporosis because of it, I began taking the necessary steps to prevent this from happening as much as... .... middle of paper ...... fined by this chronic illness. I take no medications, choosing instead to use supplements and non-invasive therapies. The information on the internet and in newspaper reviews continues to grow and I continue to learn about treatments and live a positive life. The steps I mentioned above are changes I have already made and plan to make in the very near future. Works CitedBuyukbese, MA, Pamuk, ON, Yurekli, OA and Yesil, NN (2013). Effect of fibromyalgia on bone mineral density in patients with fibromylagia and rheumatoid arthritis. Journal of Postgraduate Medicine, 59(2), 106-109. doi:10.4103/0022-3859.113825Osteoporosis. (nd). Retrieved from https://nihseniorhealth.gov/osteoporosis/whatisosteoporosis/01.htmlOsteoporosis. (nd). Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/osteoporosis/basics/definition/con-20019924