Osteoporosis is a disease where bones start degenerating and losing required density. The word “Osteoporosis” literally means “Porous Bones”, which signifies a gradual brittleness of the bones, so much so, that even a mild stress like coughing or sneezing or fall can break it.
Bones are basically living tissues that are constantly being broken down and replaced. Osteoporosis ensues when the creation of new bones does not keep up with the removal of old ones. Osteoporosis can affect men and women across the globe. But generally Asian women, especially older ones who are post menopause, are at high risk zone.
But how do we understand if our bones are healthy?
Unlike skin or teeth, we are unable to see them. Bone density scans are the only ways to know if they are in a good condition. However, there are many external signs and indications of Osteoporosis that may shed light on the strength of your bones.
A number of such early signs are discussed below:
1. Receding Gums
Receding gums are fairly common and can be ascribed to a variety of factors, one of which is bone loss. Teeth are usually connected to our jaw bone. If the jaw is losing bone, gums can draw back. In surveys on women, jaw bone loss has also been linked with receding bone mineral density in the vertebral bodies of the lumbar spine.
2. Decreased Grip Strength
To prevent falling down, especially among older women, good grip, balance and muscle strength is imperative. When your hand grip is loosening, you know there are symptoms to ponder over.
3. Cramps and Bone Pain
Regular muscle cramps and pains are an often overlooked but otherwise well-known early symptom of Osteoporosis. It signifies a severe absence of Vitamin D – the most important bone builder.There can be a good number of reasons causing leg and foot cramps.But cramps that occur at night often signify that the calcium, magnesium, and/or potassium levels in blood have dropped too low. If this situation were to persist over time, excessive bone loss could occur.
4. Fracture
The most common early warning sign of Osteoporosis is easy fractures. If your bones start become fragile and brittle you might develop a fracture much more easily than that of earlier days (mostly pre-menopausal period). A bone loss usually results in fracture due to mild trauma like tripping, falling, hitting an object etc.
5. Loss of Height
Certain physical changes indicate early warning signs of Osteoporosis. Loss of height is the most common among them. If one has a height loss of more than two inches or a curvature in spine is diagnosed by the orthopaedic, it means you are on the threshold of the risk zone of Osteoporosis. The disease has already attacked your vertebrae.
6. Brittle Fingernails
Nail bone health is directly related to high bone density, as suggests the orthopaedic. Weak fingernails, which often break after a hand wash or any other manual work can be signs that you have e dip in your bone density.
7. Widow’s Hump
Compression ruptures in the vertebrae, the bones in the spine, are quite common in people with Osteoporosis. This can lead to snags with the overall posture, or the appearance of a “widow’s hump”—a bend in the spine near the shoulders.
However, it would be safe to mention that in its earliest stages Osteoporosis ceases to show any particular symptom. So please be cautious about your bone density and check it regularly to prevent Osteoporosis in an early stage.
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