Osteoporosis Symptoms

Osteoporosis Symptoms

Osteoporosis, a disease in which the density and quality of bones is reduced, makes bones more likely to fracture or break. Sometimes it's called a "silent" disease because in its early stages, osteoporosis may cause no symptoms; once the bones have been weakened and are fragile, osteoporosis symptoms may include:

• Moderate to severe back pain
• A gradual loss of height and stooped posture
• Fractures or breaks of the hips, spine, wrists or other bones
• Abdominal pain
• Tooth loss
• Fatigue
• Periodontal disease
• Chronic neck pain
• Brittle fingernails

These potential osteoporosis symptoms may also be the result of other health problems such as arthritis or tendonitis. Please read our in-depth overview to learn more about the full range of osteoporosis symptoms.

Understanding Osteoporosis Symptoms

Understanding potential osteoporosis symptoms is key to the early detection of (and intervention for) the disease, which may help to slow its progression.

Back pain and a loss of height are two common osteoporosis symptoms. These are often the result of vertebral fractures that lead to a curve in the upper back – sometimes called a dowager's hump. The first indication of spinal fractures due to osteoporosis may be when you realize you are not as tall as you once were. Back pain and a stooped posture may also be indications of a spinal fracture. If your current height is an inch or more less than it was when you were a young adult, you may want to speak with your doctor about testing for osteoporosis.

Fractures or the breaking of bones is another of the common osteoporosis symptoms. Because osteoporosis weakens the bones, they become brittle and are more likely to break. Although osteoporosis affects all of your bones, breaks of special concern are fractures of the hip and spine, as both typically require hospitalization and can result in a severely diminished quality of life.

Osteoporosis can be diagnosed with procedures including the assessment of your complete medical and family history, bone mineral density (BMD) test, blood tests, spine X-ray and spine CT. A bone mineral density test can be used to determine if a person has low bone density prior to any fracture, can show whether a person is losing bone over time, and can help in the decision to undertake a course of osteoporosis treatment.

Causes of Osteoporosis

At around age 30, a person's bone mass and density has reached its maximum point; as people age, their bones naturally begin to lose mass. Aging, therefore, is one of the primary causes of osteoporosis. The older you get, the more you are at risk of developing the disease. There are a number of additional factors, however, that can contribute to and increase the speed of bone loss. Females are twice as likely to develop the disease as men. As with many other endocrine system disorders, there seem to be hereditary causes of osteoporosis, as a person with a family history of the disease is more likely to contract it themselves. In addition, a diet low in calcium and vitamin D but excessive in sodium, protein, and caffeine could add to the causes of a person's osteoporosis.

Exercise is key to maintaining overall health, but because bone responds positively and becomes stronger in relation to the demands placed upon it, such as the weight-bearing required by walking or jogging or the resistance experienced while one lifts weights, inactivity plays an important role among the causes of osteoporosis. Other lifestyle choices, such as smoking and excessive alcohol use, take a toll on bone health as well.

A low level of testosterone and estrogen is one of the causes of osteoporosis in men. In women hormones play a role as well, as the low level of estrogen during menopause can lead to a decrease in bone density. Please visit our comprehensive overview to learn more about the causes of osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis Treatment

There are a number of medications and treatments that may help to increase bone density. Estrogen replacement therapy, Alendronate, Raloxifene and Calcitonin are some of them. However, because there is currently no cure for the disease, the best osteoporosis treatment is prevention. The adoption of a healthy lifestyle that includes the following components can lead to increased bone health and can decrease the likelihood of developing osteoporosis:

• Exercise -- The development and adoption of a program of regular exercise is key to both osteoporosis prevention and treatment. Besides directly leading to healthier, stronger bones, exercise develops a person's strength and balance, both of which can be factors in helping avoid falls and fractures. Be sure to consult with your physician before you undertake any exercise program; a program appropriate for one person may not be safe for another.
• Proper Diet -- Adequate intake of calcium, an element found in dairy foods and some vegetables, is crucial in maintaining bone health and preventing osteoporosis. The average American diet contains less than half of the calcium necessary for bone health. Too little vitamin D – an element that helps the body properly process calcium -- can be another one of the causes of osteoporosis. Both calcium and vitamin D can be taken as dietary supplements; it is important, however, to speak with your doctor before you begin taking supplements.

Visit our treatment options page for additional information about osteoporosis treatment.

Additional Endocrine System Information:

Treatment for PCOS

Early Menopause

Symptoms of Diabetes

Editors:

Michael Draper, MD, PhD

Ada Wolfsen, MD

March 2008