Osteoporosis has few symptoms in midlife. It is estimated that less than 10% of people who have osteoporosis at this stage of life actually know they have it. Many aren’t aware of their condition until they fracture a bone. Also, the fractures usually are dramatically out of proportion to the injuries (breaking ribs during a coughing spell, for example). However, one indicator of osteoporosis can be a loss in height because of fractures in vertebrae. Although men and women may lose a small percentage of height annually after age 45, doctors should suspect osteoporosis in any person who loses height.
Osteoporosis has few symptoms in midlife. It is estimated that less
than 10% of people who have osteoporosis at this stage of life
actually know they have it. Many aren’t aware of their condition
until they fracture a bone. Also, the...
More
Dr. Harris McIlwain answered:Osteoporosis has few symptoms in midlife. It is estimated that less than 10% of people who have osteoporosis at this stage of life actually know they have it. Many aren’t aware of their condition until they fracture a bone. Also, the fractures usually are dramatically out of proportion to the injuries (breaking ribs during a coughing spell, for example). However, one indicator of osteoporosis can be a loss in height because of fractures in vertebrae. Although men and women may lose a small percentage of height annually after age 45, doctors should suspect osteoporosis in any person who loses height.
Osteoporosis has few symptoms in midlife. It is estimated that less than 10% of people who have osteoporosis at this stage of life actually know they have it. Many aren’t aware of their condition until they fracture a bone. Also, the... More