Osteoporosis makes your bones fragile and brittle by reducing the quality of your bones. This health condition causes your bones to become so weak and brittle that sometimes, even activities like bending over or coughing can lead to a fracture. Some of the most common fractures associated with osteoporosis happen in your hip, wrist, and spine. About 200 million women all over the world suffer from this debilitating health condition.

As the bones are living tissue, the old bones in your body are constantly being broken down to create new bones and this rebuilding process is termed as ‘remodeling’. However, when the remodeling pace does not keep up with the pace of the breaking down of the bones, the bones become weak, brittle, and fragile, leading to osteoporosis. It is clear how this disorder develops over a period of time, however, what is not clear is what exactly causes osteoporosis. There are, however, certain risk factors that are associated with the development of this disorder. These are your race, body frame size, age, family history, sex, sedentary lifestyle, smoking, and eating disorders.

Osteoporosis is typically diagnosed by a bone density test, which involves the use of X-rays to scan the body. The treatment methods that are generally used for osteoporosis mainly depend upon your risk of a fracture. If your risk is low, the treatment plan will mainly involve lifestyle changes and modifications that can reduce the risk factors related to osteoporosis. If you are at a higher risk of breaking a bone, the doctor will prescribe you certain treatment options.

Osteoporosis is mainly regarded as a silent disease because there are no telltale signs and symptoms in its early stages. Only in its advanced stages will you experience osteoporosis symptoms such as pain, loss of height, and fracture. Here are the different osteoporosis symptoms explained in detail.

• Stooped Posture

The compression fractures that occur in your vertebrae may result in a slight curving of your upper back. A stooped back is scientifically termed as ‘kyphosis’ or commonly referred to as ‘dowager’s hump’. This is one of the osteoporosis symptoms that can lead to neck and back pain, and can even lead to severe problems like difficulty in breathing because of the added pressure on your airways.

• Fracture

One of the most common osteoporosis symptoms is a fracture that is caused due to brittle and fragile bones. Some of the most common osteoporosis fractures occur in your wrist, hip, and spine. These fractures can either occur because of a fall or can also occur during routine every day movements that you would generally undertake while stepping out of home. There are some osteoporosis fractures that are triggered by even mild activities such as sneezing and coughing.

• Neck or Back Pain

Osteoporosis is a disorder that can also cause compression fractures of your spine. These fractures tend to be very painful because the vertebrae that collapse may compress the spinal nerves that radiate outwards. The osteoporosis symptoms of neck or back pain vary from one person to another; some people report feeling a minor tenderness, while others experience pain that is excruciating.

• Loss of Height

Loss of height is one of the most noticeable osteoporosis symptoms. The compression fractures in the spine cause the vertebrae to collapse. When these vertebrae collapse, it may result in a loss of height. Patients suffering from osteoporosis experience a gradual loss of height, as this disorder progresses.

If you experience any of the osteoporosis symptoms mentioned above, it is important that you consult your doctor immediately. Most often than not, these osteoporosis symptoms only cause pain and discomfort. However, when you experience severe and debilitating pain, especially in your neck, hip, back, or wrist, visit your doctor as soon as possible. This pain could be a sign of a fractured bone that may need proper treatment.

Even though there are no symptoms in the early stages, understanding osteoporosis symptoms will help you identify it when you finally start experiencing them. All of the osteoporosis symptoms are caused due to weakened bones. So if you are at a higher risk of developing this disorder, start working on strengthening your bones by making certain dietary modifications as well as lifestyle changes. After all, who would want to experience these osteoporosis symptoms, if there is a chance that you can prevent it?