Often called the "silent disease" because of its lack of noticeable symptoms, osteoporosis threatens more than 28 million Americans, 80 percent of them women, with dangerously brittle bones that result in more than 1.5 million fractures annually, many of them fatal. With the aging of the American population, direct medical and nursing home costs for osteoporosis care continue to rise from $38 million per day in 1995. Osteoporosis Sourcebook contains basic consumer health information about the different types of osteoporosis along with related conditions and other bone disorders. Readers will learn about risk factors and prevention as well as treatments and pain management. Also included are a glossary and a directory of additional resources.