Even if some lifestyle changes occur, and we eat the proper foods, the extensive risks of osteoporosis remain. You may find that you are still at risk of this painful bone disease. For this reason, identifying symptoms of osteoporosis is necessary. Early and common osteoporosis symptoms include:

1. Back pain from collapsed vertebra
As the population ages, many studies are being conducted to determine what can reduce the risk of osteoporosis. The International Osteoporosis Foundation confirms that over 200 million people suffer from osteoporotic fractures. Pains related to the disease will occur in 1 in 3 women over 50 and 1 in 5 men over 50.

Osteoporosis occurs because of weak or damaged bones and a weakened spinal cord. An unhealthy diet brings on both of these. The pain is usually felt around the side of the head and neck. Similar discomfort can appear on the back as well. The condition causes the bones to move outward against each other, causing a sensation of pain in the neck and back. This pain and the lack of movement often lead to nausea, dizziness, and headaches. The pain and discomfort can worsen when lying down, and it can last several weeks to months. If the condition is not treated properly, the spinal cord may become damaged and result in permanent disability.

2. Loss of height
One apparent osteoporosis symptom is the loss of height. There are many causes of loss in height, and the first one is age. A person with osteoporosis often begins to experience bone fractures at a younger age than usual, which contributes to the sudden loss of height. Osteoporosis may cause a decrease in height due to weak vertebrae, which can crumple.

Another thing that is known to contribute to this type of decreased bone density is heredity. If one or both parents had osteoporosis in the family, then there is a chance that you will also suffer from the disease. In addition to the first two reasons, certain medications can also affect the body’s bone density. Taking antibiotics such as Tylenol and other analgesics can affect bone formation, which needs to be considered before taking osteoporosis medicine. Types of medication that cause bone loss are:

• Anti-seizure and mood-altering drugs
• Breast cancer drugs
• Synthetic glucocorticoids (e.g., prednisone)
• Prostate cancer drugs
• Blood pressure medication
• Excessive thyroid hormone replacement

Prescription drugs aren’t the only chemicals that negatively affect the skeletal system. Cigarettes can disrupt osteoblasts, a bone-building cell that hardens with time. People who smoke are more likely to develop bone loss because of nicotine. This problem is more common in women than in men. Smoking can affect the body’s ability to produce new bone, so it is best not to smoke if you have osteoporosis.

3. Stooped posture
Another common osteoporosis symptom is a stooped posture. A person may have horrible posture from being overweight, or perhaps he has a congenital defect such as a bent vertebra in his neck. Whatever the cause of the posture problem, it will likely cause trouble sleeping, among other issues. Stooped posture while sleeping can lead to:

• Disrupted sleep patterns
• Increased muscle tension
• Poor blood circulation
• Neck, back, and shoulder pain

Stooped posture also makes activities difficult to perform during the day. The following are symptoms of stooped posture that can affect productivity in the waking hours:

• Muscle fatigue
• Potbelly
• Back pain
• Bent knees when walking or standing
• Body aches and pains
• Rounded shoulders
• Head either leans forward or backward
• Headache

You won’t exercise as much or perform some simple daily tasks without pain and a great deal of tension. If your bones are brittle and not strong enough to support the weight they are carrying, they will break under strain. The bones may not heal properly, or you may damage more than one bone in the process.