20 Warning Signs and Symptoms of osteoporosis that Require Immediate Attention
Osteoporosis is a common medical disorder that affects more than 8.9 million fractures annually all over the world.
Osteoporosis is a metabolic bone disorder that is characterized by low bone mineral density making them more prone to fractures. It affects more than 25 million Americans and causes more than 1.5 million fractures each year. Osteoporotic fractures can occur in any bone of your body except the skull.
There are several risk factors which are commonly linked with osteoporosis. Advancing age, female sex, osteoporosis running in families, chronic smoking, vitamin D and calcium deficiency, immobilization, low body weight and early menarche are some of the established risk factors of osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis is termed as ‘silent disease’ because loss of bone occurs very slowly without any initial signs or symptoms. Ultimately, bones become so weak and brittle that even a minor trauma results in a fracture. This is especially significant problem among postmenopausal women. Anyone can suffer from osteoporosis but post-menopausal women are about four times more prone to suffer than their male counterparts. Two main factors which play their part are:
- The process of decrease in bone mineral density is increased for several years after the menopause, when estrogen levels produced from ovaries starts declining.
- Men usually adequate level of bone density before the progression of bone loss starts.
Back Pain
Spinal compression fracture can cause severe back pain. It can cause sudden, excruciating back pain that gets even worse when you are walking or standing upright.
Osteoporosis pain can be alleviated with medication. Your doctor can give some over-the-counter treatments to decrease the pain.
Medications that may reduce pain include aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen and acetaminophen. They’re harmless for most people without major side effects. They can really decrease pain for a time being but osteoporosis needs to be properly managed after proper diagnosis. Painkillers should not be used for more than 2 weeks as they can cause stomach irritation and liver damage.
People suffering from osteoporosis can have a vertebral compression fracture even as a result of minor trauma. Any person who suffer from sudden or stabbing back pain for no identifiable cause should visit the doctor for proper evaluation as it can be a potential warning sign of vertebral fractures due to osteoporosis. The pain may be so excruciating that the patient may not be able to move. But sometimes, patients delay visit to the doctor which can further exacerbate the symptoms. Unfortunately, many patients suffering from osteoporosis are given over the counter pain killers without diagnosing osteoporosis as a potential cause for back pain. If you are suffering from back pain, you should visit your doctor as soon as possible for proper examination.
Shape of the vertebral body distorts through fracture causing low back pain at different levels in osteoporosis. Vertebral body distortion and and loss of body height is accompanied with low back pain and it is extremely rare for the patient to present with acute back pain. Some cases with no fracture complain of unspecified pain in the lumbar area, this symptom is characteristic in women with menopause.
Receding Gums
It is a known fact that 99% of the calcium in your body is present in your bones and teeth. Bone loss can also affect oral and dental health.
Research has shown that bone loss in your jaw and mouth can point towards bone loss in other areas of your body. If bone mineral density in your jaw bone is decreasing, your gums will begin to recede. Always keep checking your gums while brushing especially when you are a high-risk patient of osteoporosis. Receding gums can be a potential sign of low bone mineral density in different parts of the body.
Studies have found a link between tooth loss and low bone mineral density. One study has revealed that postmenopausal osteoporotic women with low bone mineral density were more 2.5 times more prone to tooth loss than those with normal bone mineral density.
It is important to evaluate the risk factors and bone mineral density in patients with osteoporosis. A DXA (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) scan, which helps in measuring spine and hip bone mineral density, is very common in evaluating the risk of osteoporosis. Treatment of osteoporosis include properly managing the existing fractures and preventing new compression fractures. Doctors may prescribe some supplements and medication to strengthen bones. Bisphosphonates alleviates the bone loss in your body. This maintains bone mineral density and mitigates the risk of fracture.
Decreased Grip Strength
Handgrip strength is found to be the most significant physical test factor associated with overall bone mineral density. Better handgrip strength and improving general muscle strength are great prognostic signs if person is suffering from early metabolic bone disorder like osteoporosis. The handgrip dynamometer is a great method that can easily measure muscle strength of a person. This test is preferred because it is simple, easy and non-invasive. Handgrip strength is a great predictor of musculoskeletal functionality and nutritional status of a person.
Weak and Brittle Fingernails
The most common causes for brittle and weak fingernails are nutrition and hormonal changes. Postmenopausal women have low estrogen levels which can contribute towards low bone mineral density. It is one of the earliest causes of osteoporosis or bone loss.
Excellent fingernail strength has been seen in patients within months of starting osteoporosis treatments. Researchers have proved strong links between osteoporosis and nail strength. Calcium and magnesium content in finger nail can be predictor of bone mineral density. Nails that easily break around the fingertips are characteristic of osteoporosis. Dryness, discoloration, and ridges in fingernails are also great predictors of bone pathologies.
Muscle Aches
Muscle spasms and cramps can be reason of debilitating pain in people suffering from osteoporosis. Nerves gets impinged as muscles start to get taut in order to protect the joints and bones. This eventually leads to extreme pain. In some people, the microscopic fractures that can occur as bone loss takes place.
Loss Of Height
When spinal vertebrae break or deform, it is called compression fracture. Causing fracture to one or more bones in the back can cause stabbing back pain that may or may not be relived from medications. After having more than one breaks, people may start showing signs of kyphosis and decreased height. When there is no pain, fractures may remain unnoticed. After decrease in height in one year’s time, person may realize the issue and visit the doctor as clothes start to fit poorly.
Visit your doctor immediately so that he can take a complete medical history and determine the next step of management. Test for bone mineral density are done and then patient is advised some positive lifestyle changes and other treatment strategies to deal with the disease.
Fatigue
Fatigue may not be a top complaint of osteoporotic patient but as they struggle to maintain their bone health, they may experience fatigue and tiredness. However, the cause of tiredness isn’t always discernible.
Loss Of Teeth
Studies have revealed that bone loss can lead to loss of teeth in a person. Postmenopausal women suffering from osteoporosis also have a higher probability of having loss of teeth. Low bone density in the jaw cause may dental issues.
Avoidance and delaying dental treatments can further exacerbate the symptoms. Regular dental visits are very significant for oral and dental health caused by bone disorders. A healthy lifestyle is important in maintaining good bone health and preventing irreparable damage to the health.
Increased kyphosis
The excessive convex curvature in the spine or the backbone that causes it to curve forward is called kyphosis. As more vertebral fracture takes place in the spine, the spine attains more curvature. When it is very severe, kyphosis is termed as dowager’s hump.
Compression fractures can be very disfiguring and may result in very bad shape of the body. This characteristic symptom can be found in osteoporotic patient very commonly. The dowager’s hump causes difficulty in finding fitting clothes and person may go into depression and social isolation.
Kyphosis can cause persistent pain. This pain occurs when the backbone becomes excessively curved and the muscles, tendons and ligaments of the spine are strained to maximum extent.
Visit your doctor in case you are suffering from humped back or stooped posture. It is important to evaluate the risk of osteoporosis in such patient. Doctor may prescribe some medications in early stages like Bisphosphonates and Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs). Bisphosphonates usually take a long time before they start performing function in the body. Doctor may advise you to take some calcium and vitamin D supplements to enhance function of bisphosphonates.
Depression
Studies have revealed that major depressive disorder can be associated with low bone mineral density. Etiology and association are still controversial and matter of huge debate but results have been positive among few studies. According to one study, Bone mineral density in subjects with Major Depressive disorder was 4.7 % lower at the AP spine, 3.5 % lower at the total femur, and 7.3 % lower at the femoral neck as compared to healthy people.
Neck Pain
Osteoporosis can lead to vertebral fractures of upper spine and eventually neck pain. These fractures can be extremely painful because the distorted vertebrae may cause impingement of nerve fibers. The pain varies from mild to severe among different patient. Visit your doctor as soon as possible if you are suffering from neck pain.
Fractures With Minor Trauma
Patient who are above 50 years old and had a fracture caused by minor trauma, it is an alarming sign that they might be suffering from weak and brittle bones. They need to be evaluated as soon possible by a doctor so that proper treatment can be started. Any unexplained fracture caused by a low-trauma incident should be managed very carefully as healing can be slower among osteoporotic patient than their healthier counterparts.
High risk patients are suggested following measures:
- Eat food high in calcium like milk products
- Weight-bearing exercises can be helpful.
- Regular strength training like lifting weights in the gym
Activities like yoga also emphasize on the strengthening the muscles and bones to delay or end the disease process. If you suffer from a compression fracture due to osteoporosis, rest is also important in initial phase. Visit your doctor immediately for the treatment and management of your fracture.
Reflux Esophagitis
Postmenopausal female patients suffering from kyphosis due to osteoporosis may eventually develop reflux esophagitis due to the changes in abdominal space. Problem can be severe if she keeps wearing tight clothing. It is best to visit your doctor immediately if you experience any symptoms of reflux esophagitis like metallic taste in the mouth, substernal chest pain and sore throat.
Change In Posture
More than one osteoporotic fracture in your back can lead to humped or stooped posture. As vertebrae of your spine collapse, your spine begins to curve in forward direction. Unfortunately, patient remain unnoticed of this grave issue. He may notice it for the first time when he observes loss in height or experience stabbing pain in the back. Osteoporosis can cause rapid loss of height and it is said that if you have lost more than 3 cm in height (just over 1 inch), it is warning symptom of osteoporosis or any other severe bone issue.
Vertebral fractures remain undiagnosed and this is a worldwide problem. It’s a big issue because one vertebral fracture causes more fractures in the spine and patient ends up with humped back and chronic back pain. Visit your doctor immediately if you observe any abnormal posture in your body.
Protruding Abdomen
The protruding abdomen occur as a result of kyphosis. Patient remain unnoticed the increase in convexity in curvature of the spine decrease the abdominal space and thus the intestines are moved forwards. Many people misunderstand this issue for obesity. They eventually increase their risk for more osteoporotic fractures as proper treatment is delayed. It is important for the the doctor to diagnose the problem and guide the patient that their protruding abdomen is due to kyphosis.
Compression Fractures
Compression fractures of spine are more common among osteoporotic patients. Unfortunately, brittle bones can break under normal pressure such as fall from standing height or lifting a normal weight). This can cause issues with your posture or height. Compression fractures can also cause appearance of a “widow’s hump, a curve in the back near the shoulder region.
Hip Pain and Fractures
Hip fractures can cause severe debilitation for a man or women leading to extreme hip pain and dependence. It is extremely common among postmenopausal women prone to osteoporosis due to low bone mineral density. The one-year mortality after a hip fracture is 12 to 24%.
Most common hip fractures are of the proximal femur. About 50 percent of hip fractures are trochanteric and the others are femoral neck fractures. Due to low bone mineral density, even a minor fall lead to fracture, most commonly trochanteric fracture. Falls to the side has higher probability of causing hip fracture than forward falls.
If you are feeling any kind of pain in the hip after minor trauma or fall, visit your doctor immediately before things get worse. Most hip fractures are treated surgically with hip replacement method.
Wrist Pain
Wrist fractures (Carpal or radial fractures) are very common among women who above 60 years old. These are mostly caused by a fall from standing height on an outstretched hand or any other minor trauma. Although, it only causes short term disability to the patient.
Reduction of pulmonary function
Reduced pulmonary function is significantly associated with extent of spinal deformation due to osteoporotic fractures. Osteoporosis should be checked in COPD patients, especially those who have history of recurrent episodes in the past. Kyphosis is considered to be the root cause of decreased pulmonary function in an osteoporotic patient. Visit your doctor immediately if you experience any symptoms of shortness of breath or unexplained dyspnea.
Immobility
Osteoporotic patient can be completely bedridden in severe cases. Bones and joints become extremely porous and no longer bear the weight of the body. Patient becomes completely immobile and is unable to do daily activities of life. It is important not to delay any early symptoms of osteoporosis in order to prevent further deterioration of health.
Summary
Osteoporosis is a metabolic bone disorder that causes brittle and fragile bones more prone to fracture. It develops slowly over time and diagnosed when a minor fall or sudden impact causes a bone fracture. Common symptoms are back pain, multiple fractures, humped back, stopped posture, hip pain, neck pain, depression, kyphosis, decreased pulmonary function, reflux esophagitis, loss of height, decreased grip strength. It is important to evaluate the patient in early stage to prevent further deterioration of health. A DXA (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) scan is a common method to check the risk of osteoporosis. Doctor may prescribe some medications in initial stages like Bisphosphonates and Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs). Surgical methods are used to treat osteoporotic hip fractures. Calcium and vitamin D supplement are advised to the patients along with daily exercise.