Osteoporosis is a phrase that means ‘porous bones’ which is a disease that causes the weakening of bones. As part of the growth process, when your bone tissue dies, your body is supposed to replace this with new bone tissue. Unfortunately, due to osteoporosis, old bone is not replaced by new bone tissue fast enough. Osteoporosis can be extremely dangerous as it might cause you to fracture your bones more easily, even while you’re partaking in simple daily activities such as coughing or sneezing. Hence, identifying the symptoms of osteoporosis early and getting appropriate medical attention in a timely manner can greatly help you to reduce the risks associated with this illness.
Symptoms of Osteoporosis
It may be challenging to identify the symptoms of osteoporosis and because of the lack of symptoms, it is referred to as a ‘silent disease’. However, if you notice the following symptoms, pay closer attention to your body as a combination of one or more of these symptoms could indicate the possibility of having osteoporosis.
- You are struggling from a loss of height, whereby you seem to be getting shorter by an inch or more.
- Your posture begins changing and it appears as though you are stooping or bending forward more.
- You suffer from shortness of breath, which happens because your disks are compressed and this causes your lung capacity to decrease.
- Your bone fractures more easily and more frequently.
- You have bodily pains more often, such as pains in your lower back.
Who is at Risk?
There are several risk factors that could increase an individual’s chances of getting osteoporosis. The two of the most significant factors are gender and age.
Even though every individual’s chances of getting osteoporosis increases with age, females over the age of 50 or those who have undergone menopause are at the highest risk of developing osteoporosis. This is because, after menopause, females undergo exponential bone loss due to a drop in their estrogen levels.
Additional factors that may affect your chances of getting osteoporosis are family history, bone structure, body weight, ethnicity and having pre-existing medical conditions.
Treatment for Osteoporosis
After identifying these symptoms of osteoporosis, what’s next for you? A reliable bone doctor will often assess the entire situation through the use of X-rays and bone mineral density tests. After which, you might be prescribed medication that is supposed to help to increase your bone density. It is recommended to go for a bone density test if you are a female above 50, even if you do not display any of the symptoms of osteoporosis.
How Morada North Richland Hills Can Help
If your loved one is struggling with pre-existing conditions such as osteoporosis, getting the help of an assisted living community can be greatly beneficial. We have senior-specific health and wellness programs that are bound to boost the standard of living for your loved one. Furthermore, our amenities include a well-trained medical team that is ready to supervise your loved one, no matter the time of the day. Join us today for more!
