The term osteoporosis means porous or weak bones. Osteoporosis affects bones making the spaces inside them larger resulting from strength and density loss. As such, the outer part of bones also gradually becomes thinner and weaker. Although this bone disease can strike people of all ages, patients are most commonly women of advanced aged with slim builds.

Possible causes of osteoporosis may include:

• Low calcium levels
• An underlying medical condition such as hyperthyroidism
• Use of medications such as cortisone

1. Receding gums

It is one of the osteoporosis symptoms, and it refers to the process by which margins of gum tissues surrounding the teeth wear out. When this wearing takes place, gaps form between the gum line and teeth, the roots of the teeth are exposed, and it is easy for bacteria to accumulate. The receding gums may lead to teeth loss and damage of the bones around the teeth if not treated. Dental x-rays and dentists can help detect this through bone density screenings. The symptom is an early sign of osteoporosis. Patients with osteoporosis showing this symptom may end up losing their jawbones.

2. Back pain caused by collapsed vertebra

Osteoporosis makes bones weaker, therefore increasing the probability of spine bones breaking or cracking. The bones become unable to bear pressure. The spine fractures are referred to as vertebral compression fractures, and they cause vertebrae collapse. They also cause severe back pain because of the collapsed vertebrae pinching nerves that radiate from the spine. The fractures are most common in the middle-lower part of the spine, causing unbearable pain and deformity. Sometimes the back pain makes it very hard to perform tasks such as sitting, walking, standing and lifting objects.

3. Stooped posture

When osteoporosis compresses the vertebrae, there results in a slight curve on the upper back. Kyphosis refers to a stooped back, which causes neck pain and affects breathing because of increased airway pressure. The stooped posture is also referred to as a dowager’s hump, which forms the top part of the spine. Osteoporosis may break the thoracic bones resulting in kyphosis.

4. Fractures that occur easily

They are a symptom of osteoporosis, and they occur due to the changes in bone density. These fractures happen after minor occurrences such as tripping off. It affects more men than women because of holes and spaces in bones instead of on honeycomb. These fractures are standard on the hip bone, the spine, and wrists. When these parts are fractured, you are likely to experience swellings, pain and bruising on the fractured parts, and pain in different positions other than the broken. Osteoporosis patients are likely to have fractures in the mentioned parts through simple activities such as bending, coughing and lifting items. The fractured part may also look twisted.

5. Loss of height

Height loss results from spine fractures, and unlike other osteoporosis symptoms, it is easy to note. If the condition is not extreme, it has no severe effect, but severe consequences such as back pain, neck pain and breathing problems may be associated. It is essential to carry out physical exercises, especially those involving lifting the head and the shoulders while lying on your stomach to prevent height loss and shrinkage. It stretches out muscles.

Additional risk factors associated with osteoporosis are mainly age; race; gender (as it affects mainly women); existing bone health; family history of osteoporosis; and menopause, since postmenopausal women are susceptible to osteoporosis as it may be directly related to estrogen deficiency. The primarily symptoms of osteoporosis include the following: