Many of us have heard of the condition Osteoporosis, but did you know that this disease impacts women more often than men? Not only that, but Osteoporosis is often called ‘the silent disease’ due to its symptoms not appearing like other illnesses, therefore it often remains undiscovered until late stages.
But just because the symptoms show up differently doesn’t mean there aren’t signs for women and their loved ones to look out for as they age.
4 Early Signs to Watch For:
- Gradual loss of height: As you age, bone regeneration begins to slow, potentially leading to bone compression and collapse resulting in a decrease of your overall height.
- Back pain: As the bones collapse, it can cause pain or even fragility fractures.
- Hunched posture: In addition to pain, fractures can cause the spine to curve, creating a forward hunch, also known as kyphosis.
- Shortness of breath: If the spine compresses enough, it may result in reduced lung capacity.
Other potential warning signs include weaker grip strength, dental issues or brittle nails. While these symptoms are the more common occurrences they may signal a need to schedule a bone density test with your primary care physician.
If you are already experiencing late-stage Osteoporosis resulting in fragility fractures, we can help! Schedule a consultation or learn more about our expert Orthopedics team below. We can’t wait to help get you feeling better and standing tall.
