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Is osteoporosis a necessary part of aging, especially once you reach the age of 50? Not necessarily, experts say. When people fall from a standing posture, they should not break bones, according to Dr. Thacker. “It is not an inevitable aspect of growing old.” Here are five indicators that your bone density is dangerously low, according to specialists. Continue reading to discover more.
1 — Back Pain
According to doctors, low bone density is a typical symptom of back pain. “Osteoporosis is an illness in which bones become thinner and weaker, increasing the likelihood of fractures,” said Paul Harries, MD. “Osteoporosis can cause back discomfort as bones in the vertebra weaken and compress, resulting in a variety of symptoms and pain. Osteoporosis becomes more prevalent with age; it’s linked to changes in hormonal levels, especially menopausal syndrome (loss of estrogen) or low testosterone in males. Other hormone abnormalities include abnormal thyroid function or steroid use.”
2 — Changes In Height
A decrease in height might be an indication of osteoporosis. “Many people think that losing height is usual,” says rheumatologist Abby G. Abelson. “Yes, certainly losing a half-inch or maybe three quarters of an inch might be normal, but I have seen patients who claim they’ve lost two, three, or even four inches in their height and thought it was a typical consequence of aging. However it isn’t.”
3 — Change In Posture
Another frequent sign of low bone density is a stooped posture. “There are two visible indicators of osteoporosis: altered posture (such as a hunched-over appearance) and loss of height,” Drs. Hope Ricciotti and Hye-Chun Hur explain. “Both of these changes might be caused by your spine’s being curved or compressed as a result of weakness or small fractures in your vertebrae, which are the small bones that make up the spine.”
4 — Early Menopause
After menopause, women are more likely to have low bone density, according to physicians. “When you do not have enough estrogen, the bones start to break down much quicker than they grow,” says Dr. Thacker. “It’s critical to talk about and implement a bone loss prevention strategy with your doctor when the first symptoms of menopause appear,” he adds. “It’s an excellent time to get a baseline bone density measurement and learn about your family history, lifestyle habits, and medications so that you can be strong and healthy.”
5 — Fracture
The number one signal that your bone density is inadequate is a bone fracture (usually of the hip, wrist, or spine). “We now have several safe and efficient treatments for osteoporosis fractures, however it’s also critical to reduce bone loss and fractures by fixing the risk factors over which you have control,” Dr. Abelson adds. “People are more likely to die in the year following a hip fracture than they are after a spinal injury. People are also more likely to die after suffering a spine break.” That’s why we would like to be really proactive about detecting this early.
