Osteoporosis refers to a condition that causes bones to become fragile. The mass of bone shrinks and sufferers may also suffer from loss of bone tissue. This is a frequent condition for people aged 65 or over, particularly women. Osteoporosis can be unnoticeable. The majority of people don’t know they are suffering until they experience the most typical consequence of the disease, a fracture.
Due to the decrease in bone density due to osteoporosis, you might be awed by the potential of a small bump or fall to fracture bones. The injury may be minor within your arm, or it could be within your spine and alter your life for good.
According to a research study that was conducted out of East Virginia Medical School in the year 2016, fractures because of osteoporosis need longer hospitalization than other bread-related injuries and can be more expensive. Osteoporosis is a condition that is vital to be conscious of as you get older so you can be proactive in preventing it from happening. Be aware that it’s not something that you be able to feel however, you’ll certainly be able to feel the sudden fracture.
Here are seven signs which could be indicative of osteoporosis. Be aware of #6 It’s a sign that a lot of people don’t think about the possibility of bones that are brittle.
7 Symptoms of Osteoporosis
1. Age
When you’re 50 years old is the time to begin talking with your doctor about the risk factors that can lead to osteoporosis. Supplementing your diet with calcium might be recommended.
women older than 65 and those who are over 70 must be tested on a regular basis. In addition, anyone who is over 50 and has suffered a fracture must be screened regularly for osteoporosis.
2. Certain Medications
It’s not just about age and lifestyle-related elements that can influence osteoporosis. The use of hormones, injection-based contraceptives, and certain cancer treatments can increase the chance of developing osteoporosis. The most basic medications for issues like heartburn and depression can increase the chances of developing osteoporosis. However, it doesn’t mean you need to discontinue taking them.
Consult your physician. Your doctor may suggest additional supplements to improve Bone health and counteract the effects of your primary medication.
3. Loss Of Height
The loss of height and tilted posture are common with age and could indicate osteoporosis. The most notable changes are a loss of 2 or more inches of height or an increase in the curve of the spine.
These changes could mean that osteoporosis has impacted the spine. When you reach the age of 50, you should request an estimate of your height at every health appointment.
4. Vitamin D Deficiency
Vitamin D is vital for bone health since it aids the body in absorbing calcium. Research has also demonstrated the importance of vitamin D to prevent cancer, cardiovascular disease, as well as cognitive decline. If you are deficient and suffer from muscle pain or bone weakness, however, these signs tend to be only mild.
Vitamin D synthesizes within the body when the skin is exposed to sunlight and a lot of people suffer an absence of vitamin D during winter or when they reside at northern latitudes. Vitamin D-rich foods are mostly animals such as eggs, fish and fish oils, fortified milk, and the liver of beef. If you’re vegan, the chance of deficiency in vitamin D is greater.
5. High Levels Of Serum Calcium Or, Alkaline Phosphatase On A Blood Test
This test is the only test your doctor may use to determine whether you’re experiencing the loss of your bones. It will determine if you have a vitamin D deficit that could be affecting your bones and if there are any bone-related cancers that may be present.
It is also a method to identify Paget’s Disease which can affect how bones develop. The test is also utilized to determine the symptoms of liver disorder.
6. Joint Or Muscle Aches
Osteoporosis can develop silently, which means it is unlikely that you will suffer pain until the disease has progressed. There are however complications of osteoporosis that could cause discomfort. Small cracks and stress fractures within the bone may occur throughout daily life and can result in an aching sensation.
If you lose height and your vertebrae begin to compress closer together, you’ll likely feel numbness throughout your back. If a minor fracture is found in the ribs, it might push a nerve against the rib. Another indication of osteoporosis can be the weakness of muscles due to loosening connections to the bones which provide support for the muscles. It can be seen as having difficulty rising from a chair, without having to effort using your arms.
7. Fracture
The first indication that you may have osteoporosis is usually fractures. In reality, the fracture is the most frequently seen sign that you are suffering from osteoporosis. If the bones have been weakened and have become brittle, even a small impact can result in a fracture. In some cases, because the cause of the injury was not that severe the person doesn’t even realize they’ve fractured a bone until pain persists and prompts them to a doctor.
The signs that you’ve suffered a fragility fracture are swelling and pain right after an injury or fall. This is typically evident. If you notice that a particular area that you are in is not in alignment, it could be a sign. If you experience discomfort, especially in your back, and it persists for weeks, it could be indicative of an injury, even though you don’t remember an exact event that caused it.
Conclusion
The pain and aches you experience are common as you get older, but are not always a sign of osteoporosis. However, it’s recommended to talk about the issue with your physician. In a study of more than 47,000 women suffering from an injury to their fragility, just one in five was aware of osteoporosis prior to the time they had it. Surprisingly, only a small percentage of the patients took follow-up actions to prevent fractures from occurring again.
