person's bones fragile and painful.

If it is not prevented or if it is left untreated, it can progress painlessly until a bone breaks. These broken bones, also known as fractures, occur typically in the hip, spine and wrist.

It can impair a person's ability to walk unassisted and may cause prolonged or permanent disability or even death.

Winnifred Stowe, 59, now knows all too well about this disease. She has apparently had it for several years but was only diagnosed three months ago.

Now, she is looking for other Bermudians afflicted by the disease so a support group can be formed.

Mrs. Stowe said: "I have been wondering if there is anyone else in Bermuda with this condition and I have called around to see if there is a support group for osteoporosis but there isn't one.

"I would like to start one so if there are other people out there we can support each other. I don't want to be all alone.

"I want to be able to talk about this with people who are suffering from this disease. I want us to see what else there is for us to know and to keep each other up. If there is a doctor or orthopaedic surgeon who could get together with the group and talk about it more that would be nice too.'' Mrs. Stowe said when she was little she had rickets -- a bone disease -- and in the late 1980s her bones started to really hurt but the pain would come and go.

"Three years ago I had a bad asthma attack and a doctor put me on the steroid pregnazone which has side effects. I was on it for a long time and shouldn't have been because the side effects did more damage to my bones and messed up my organs,'' she added.

"I fell down and broke my wrist and now I don't have a wrist because the pregnazone made my bones brittle ad nothing can be done about that.'' Mrs. Stowe said orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Steven Trott diagnosed her as soon as he saw her.

"He said that due to being on pregnazone for such a long time I had a loss of bone, and whatever bones are left are very thin and brittle so I can't afford a knock or anything,'' Mrs. Stowe said.

She added that Dr. Trott also said it was possible that her earlier bout with the rickets was related to the osteoporosis "but it is mainly from the steroids''.

"My body is not responding to any form of treatment right now which includes acupuncture. There is nothing else for me to do.

"I get down sometimes but my family and friends and my church family are there to give me support,'' Mrs. Stowe said.

Mrs. Stowe said due to her condition she sometimes has to use a wheelchair because her nerves are pressing against her spine making standing or walking for long periods of time almost unbearable.

"This disease can cripple you. I would not wish this pain on anyone but I'm going to fight. I'm not going to let it fight me.

"My friends tell me they don't know how I stay so positive. They say I give them inspiration. I have a very good sense of humour because you have to have to laugh sometimes,'' Mrs. Stowe said.

She added anyone with this disease who is interested in starting a group together can contact her at 236-5399.

OSTEOPOROSIS FACT FILE According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation in the US there are many factors that determine who will develop osteoporosis. The first step in prevention is to determine whether you are at risk, since not everyone is. The risk factors are: Age: the older you are, the greater your risk of osteoporosis. Your bones become less dense and weaker as you age.

Gender: Your chances of developing osteoporosis are greater if you are a woman. Women have less bone tissue and lose bone more rapidly than men because of the changes involved in menopause.

Race: Caucasian and Asian women are more likely to develop osteoporosis.

However, African American and Hispanic women are at a significant risk for developing the disease.

Bone structure and Body Weight: Small-boned and thin women are at greater risk.

Menopause/Menstrual History: Normal or early menopause (brought about naturally or because of surgery) increases your risk of developing osteoporosis.

In addition, women who stop menstruating before menopause because of conditions such as anorexia or bulimia, or because of excessive physical exercise, may also lose bone tissue and develop osteoporosis. Lifestyle: By smoking, drinking too much alcohol, consuming an inadequate amount of calcium or getting little or no weight-bearing exercise, you increase your chances of developing osteoporosis.

Medications and Disease: Osteoporosis is associated with certain medications (cortisone-like drugs) and is a recognised complication of a number of other medical conditions including endocrine disorders (having an overactive thyroid), rheumatoid arthritis, and immobilisation.

Family History: Young mothers whose mothers have a history of vertebral fractures also seem to have reduced bone mass.

LOOKING FOR SUPPORT -- Winnifred Stowe found out she had osteoporosis three months ago.

HEALTH HTH