- Osteoporosis (porous bones) weakens the bones, making them more fragile and susceptible to breakage. In the majority of cases inadequate levels of calcium, phosphorus and other minerals contribute to bone deterioration.
- Osteoporosis is sometimes referred to as a silent disease because it rarely shows any symptoms in the early stages. At first, there may be no indication that your bone strength is on the decline. But as your bones continue to weaken, you may begin to experience signs that the disease is taking hold.
- It doesn't take much of a strain for a person with osteoporosis to suffer a fracture or a broken bone. A minor fall or something as seemingly harmless as a sneeze can result in a bone fracture. Fractures of the vertebrae, hips and wrists are common.
- As osteoporosis worsens you may begin to suffer from back pain. In some cases, such as when the vertebra has collapsed or is fractured, the pain may become sharp and piercing.
- As the health of your bones continues to deteriorate, you may experience a noticeable loss of height.
- An obvious spinal deformity, such as a severely hunched posture (kyphosis), may be another indication of osteoporosis.
- Since osteoporosis is less common in men, doctors don't usually recommend routine screenings. The National Osteoporosis Foundation suggests that postmenopausal women who are not taking estrogen supplements have a bone density test.
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