Osteoporosis Symptoms: What Your Body Might Be Telling You

Have you experienced mild discomfort in the back region, or do you seem slightly less tall than before? These developments might not appear worrisome, but in certain situations, they could indicate a larger problem.

The signs of osteoporosis can manifest quietly and in a subtle way, often being ignored until the bones become frail. Understanding these signs early on could help you take appropriate actions towards your health.

In this article, we explain osteoporosis symptoms and signs that need serious attention and how to maintain strength as one ages.

What is Osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a health problem in which bones become weak and fragile, and likely to break. It occurs slowly. Osteoporosis may go undetected for a long time, only coming to light after a fall or impact leads to a fracture.

While most fractures are likely to occur at the hip, wrist and spinal regions, underlying osteoporosis also increases susceptibility to other fractures.

Both men and women can develop osteoporosis, although women, especially those above the age of 60 and postmenopausal, tend to be at a greater risk.

Risk factors for developing underlying osteoporosis include age, family history of the condition, low body weight, smoking, and taking specific medications (‘All Information Which You Need’).

Preventive measures include regular exercise, a healthier diet that increases the intake of calcium and vitamin D, and modifications to certain lifestyle choices.

Osteoporosis Symptoms

Osteoporosis can be hard to notice at first. It usually develops slowly, and many people don’t know they have it until they break a bone. Below are the signs that may show your bones are becoming weak.

Back Pain

Some individuals with osteoporosis may experience pain in their lower or middle back. The underlying reason would be a weak bone in the spine, which might lead to a fracture. The pain may be dull or sharp and continuous or intermittent. In some cases, bones in the spine may partially collapse, resulting in discomfort while standing or walking.

Loss of Height

One of the recognisable symptoms associated with osteoporosis is the relative height loss.

Initially, this may not be so obvious, but if your clothes or mirrors feel different or someone brings it up, this could be because your spine has compressed or bent. This occurs when the spinal bones weaken and start stacking themselves differently.

Stooped Posture

Curvature of the spine leading to a hunched back or shoulders could be a result of reduced bone density. This change in posture, also referred to as a “dowager’s hump”, results from the weak bones of the spine pressing forward.

Most of the time, this occurs slowly, so an individual may not notice unless someone tells them. If you notice your back doesn’t stay straight like before, it’s worth checking.

Bones Break Easily

Individuals with osteoporosis may suffer broken bones much more than an average person would. A small bump or fall could lead to a fracture in the wrist, hip or spine. Bones that are ordinarily healthy would not sustain any damage from such incidents.

 However, if you have thin and weak bones, even a little pressure could cause them to shatter. Frequent fractures or breaks of any sort might be warning signs.

Trouble Standing or Walking for Long

As the bones start weakening, the muscles surrounding the bones would get exhausted, leading to increased soreness. From the perspective of a patient, to stand still for a long time, or to walk would result in discomfort. Several patients report that their legs feel fatigued or their back aches, which signifies your body’s bones and muscles are trying harder than usual to support your weight.

Treatment of Osteoporosis

A comprehensive approach, including lifestyle changes and medication, is required for strengthening the bones and osteoporosis treatment.

Lifestyle Changes

Exercise

Weight-bearing and muscle-strengthening activities like walking, dancing or lifting weights regularly help slow bone loss and improve balance, thereby lowering the risk of falls.

Diet

A nutritious diet that includes calcium and vitamin D supports bone health. Examples include dairy foods, some leafy green vegetables, and fortified cereals. The body can also produce vitamin D with exposure to sunlight.

Avoiding Smoking and Excessive Alcohol

Some habits, especially smoking and heavy drinking, have negative effects on your bones. Stopping smoking and reducing alcohol intake improves bone strength.

Medications

Bisphosphonates

Bone loss is a condition treated by this class of drugs. Alendronate and risedronate are oral bisphosphonates, while zoledronic acid is a bisphosphonate given by annual IV infusion.

Denosumab

This is used instead of bisphosphonates for patients with specific contraindications. Denosumab is an injectable drug given every six months which slows down the process of bone loss.

Parathyroid Hormone Analogues

Medications such as teriparatide and abaloparatide lead to new bone formation and are typically prescribed for those with very low bone density or if other treatments have failed.

Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERMs)

Postmenopausal women are treated with Raloxifene to replace oestrogen’s protective action on bones and to help maintain bone density.

Conclusion

Your bones may gradually deteriorate due to osteoporosis, making it essential to identify the symptoms early on. Signs such as persistent back pain, reduction in height, or fractures should not be overlooked. Back fractures are often the result of osteoporosis. Taking action by consulting a physician, staying physically active, and receiving appropriate treatment can greatly improve one’s quality of life. Recognising the symptoms of osteoporosis is critical to living a healthy life.