There are several osteoporosis symptoms, but your bones are hidden and you may not know that you are suffering from osteoporosis until you experience a fracture - break a wrist or a hip. Osteoporosis is a technical term for the weakening and thinning of the bones. A simple sneeze or even a cough could cause a fracture in the elderly with very low bone mass.
Osteoporosis is usually diagnosed at the hospital, often after a bone fracture or a fall. Your bone density will be measured using a dual-energy X-ray scanner. It is diagnosed when bone density is found to be significantly lower than average.
Osteporosis Risk Factors:
Age- bones start to lose density when you get older as more cells wear out than are being replaced by the healthy ones. Fractures may occur and you may take much longer to recover when you are older. Women that had hysterectomy. Men with low levels of testosterone. Women are at a greater risk after the menopause due to ovaries not being able to produce oestrogen- the sex hormone that helps maintain calcium in the bones. Smoking. Not enough exercise and having an inactive lifestyle. Exercise keeps bones stronger. Drinking too much alcohol. A diet low in calcium. Family history of the disease.
To Prevent Osteoporosis:
Quit smoking and this should be your priority to enjoy a healthier life. Stop heavy drinking. Take up regular physical activity, but do not overdo it. The sort of exercise that's beneficial in preventing osteoporosis is weight-bearing, such as walking or aerobics. Eat healthy foods every day and include calcium in your diet. The recommended daily intake of calcium for an adult is around 800mg.
Osteoporosis Symptoms:
Wrist, hip or spine fractures. Bone tenderness and pain. Broken bones. Discomfort in the neck or neck pain. Sudden severe or unexplained back pain. Height loss and followed by stooped posture. Patients may lose as much as 15cm in height. A loss of bone in jaws, indicated by dental X-rays. Pain on abdominals. Brittle fingernails. Curving of the spine- Kyphosis. Leg cramps at night. Loss of teeth. Persistent pain in the spine or muscles of the lower back. Abdominal pain. Constant tiredness.