Around 54 million Americans live with osteoporosis or low bone mass, but many don't recognize the symptoms until it is too late. Before a bad fall or fracture renders you immobile, learn how to reduce your risk of developing osteoporosis, manage your day-to-day symptoms, and even treat the disease with the tools provided in Mayo Clinic on Osteoporosis.

Throughout your life, your bones are constantly rebuilding. But as you age, you run a greater risk of your new bone growth not being able to keep up with the old bone you're losing. Osteopenia and osteoporosis develop when this imbalance makes bones weak and likely to break.

A stooped posture, low-trauma fractures, and collapsed vertebrae are a few of the tell-tale signs associated with weakened and brittle bones. But fortunately, an osteoporosis diagnosis doesn't have to be permanent. By taking the right steps, you can reduce your risk of future fractures, stop bone loss, and even rebuild your low bone density.