Medical update: new drugs for osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis is a pressing health problem that's increasing due to our aging population. Currently, 10 per cent of Canadians are over age 65, a number that will rise to 21 per cent by the year 2020. The announcement of new drugs to strengthen bones made fragile by osteoporosis is welcome news, But raising awareness about the disease and how to prevent it is equally urgent. At present, too many remain unaware of osteoporosis, fall to assess their risks or get the simple tests that can detect it. In osteoporosis a diminution in bone density and architecture makes bones porous, fragile and susceptible to fractures, especially of the spine, wrist and hip. Severely osteoporotic bones can break from a mere jolt, a cough or a hug. Bone strength (mass) peaks at age 30-35, remains roughly static until …