Reviewed by medical experts • For informational purposes only
Symptoms of osteoporosis such as fractures, height loss and back pain, and who should be tested.
Early osteoporosis usually causes no symptoms. This is why it is called a silent disease.
Signs that may appear later
Things that are not caused by osteoporosis
General joint aches, cramps and tiredness are common and are often due to other causes such as vitamin D deficiency or arthritis. They do not by themselves mean you have osteoporosis.
Ayurvedic view
Traditional descriptions mention bone pain, brittleness, dryness and tooth or nail weakness as signs of Asthi-kshaya. This is an interpretive description and not a diagnostic method.
Who should be tested
Women over 65, postmenopausal women with risk factors, men over 70 or earlier with risk factors, and anyone with a fragility fracture.
Emergency signs
Severe sudden back pain, inability to stand after a fall, a deformed limb, or leg weakness or loss of bladder control need urgent care.
See a doctor if you notice height loss, a new stooped posture or back pain that does not settle.
When to get help
Speak with your doctor or an orthopaedic, endocrinology or rheumatology clinic if you have had a fracture from a minor fall, lose height, or develop a stooped back. Checking bone health early, with a DEXA scan where advised, lets you start the right plan before a break happens.
Remember
Do not wait for symptoms. A bone density test finds the problem before a fracture does.
Written By
Dr. Daksh
BDS
Reviewed By
Dr. Varun Gupta
MD Pharmacology, MBBS
Last updated on
27 Sep 2022 • 06:23 PM (IST)
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