Do you know what osteoporosis is? It is a condition that affects the bones, making them weak and susceptible to fractures. In this blog post, we will discuss six symptoms of osteoporosis. If you experience any of these symptoms, it is essential to see a doctor right away.
Early diagnosis and treatment are vital in preventing further damage to the bones.
Osteoporosis is a condition in which bones become fragile, increasing the risk of fractures. A typical bone usually regains its strength after being broken, but this does not happen with osteoporosis. The primary function of the bone tissue is to give support and protection to your body. Bones serve many functions in your body, including movement, protection of certain organs, formation of blood cells, and storage of minerals.
Osteoporosis is generally diagnosed in women over the age of 50, but younger people can also experience this condition. The human body tends to lose between 1% - 2% bone mass each year after 30.
1) Bone Loss And Receding Gums
One of the first signs of osteoporosis is that your gums might start to recede. Receding gums are characterized by the gums pulling away from the teeth. This makes it easier for bacteria to enter the gum line, leading to bleeding and pain. When you experience bone loss, it can affect any part of your body. In this case, it affects the jawbone that supports the teeth and gums.
2) A Stress Fracture
If you're an athlete constantly putting stress on your bones, such as runners and gymnasts, you might experience a stress fracture. Stress fractures occur when there's a small crack in one or several parts of the bone. The cause is typically overuse or poor training habits, such as not enough stretching or weight lifting.
Another early sign of osteoporosis is when you experience slipped vertebrae. This occurs when the bones surrounding the spine start to thin and weaken, eventually leading to a slip of the vertebrae. The slipped vertebrae are usually one or two centimeters in size.
3) Reduced Grip Strength
A lot of the early symptoms of osteoporosis are silent. This is one of them. If you have reduced grip strength, it means that your hand or hands can't do as much as they used to be able to. The cause is bone loss at the small bones in your hands and fingers called carpal bones. Carpal bones are important in allowing you to grip objects. Likewise, when they become weak, so does your grip.
Weaknesses of the bone structure can be felt in other parts of the body as well. One of these locations is at the hip. If you experience a hip fracture, which occurs when one or both of your hips break and crumble, it can affect your gait and coordination. Hip fractures are more common among older women than men. They can also occur after a fall, especially if the fall puts a lot of pressure on your hips.
4) The Loss Of Height
Studies show that one of the most well-known symptoms of osteoporosis is height loss. This occurs when you experience compression fractures in the spine. Compression fractures occur because bone density decreases, and the bones cannot support themselves anymore. When this happens, it compresses the spine and causes it to shrink. As a result, you might lose up to two inches in height.
5) Joint Pain In The Knees, Hips, Or Spine
The most common symptom of osteoporosis is joint pain. This means that the bones in your body have started to wear down and cause discomfort when you're walking or doing everyday activities. Early in the disease, you might not notice any changes in your pain levels. However, as the bone loss progresses, your bones will become more fragile and sensitive to pressure.
Pain in joints also occurs because of calcium deposits. As osteoporosis progresses, calcium accumulates in the joints, making them stiffer. If you are experiencing joint pain in your knee, hip, or spine, it is essential to see a doctor sooner than later.
6) A Fall Or Fracture
The final symptom on our list is also one of the most well-known: a fall or fracture. When osteoporosis advances and your bones become weaker, it is easier to break them. If you experience any fall, whether it's just a small trip or a more serious tumble, be sure to see your doctor right away. It is important to be examined at the first sign of a fracture or broken bone. Early diagnosis and treatment are vital in preventing further damage to the bones. If you have any of these symptoms, it is best to be checked out by a healthcare professional as soon as possible.