When should losing height become a warning sign?

Hi everyone 💙

Many people think of osteoporosis as a condition that causes weak bones and increases the risk of hip or wrist fractures.

But one sign can sometimes be much less obvious: losing height.

As we get older, a small change in height may seem normal. But with osteoporosis, a noticeable loss of height can sometimes be linked to vertebral compression fractures, where one or more bones in the spine weaken and partially collapse.

What makes this difficult is that these spinal fractures do not always cause the sudden severe pain people might expect.

Some people may notice:

• becoming shorter over time,
• developing a more rounded or stooped posture,
• persistent back pain,
• or finding that clothes seem to fit differently.

In some cases, people only discover that they have had a vertebral fracture during an X-ray or another examination.

That is one reason osteoporosis is sometimes called a “silent disease” bone loss may progress without obvious symptoms until a fracture occurs.

Today is World Osteoporosis Day, and this year’s campaign is encouraging people to understand their individual fracture risk and take bone health seriously before a major fracture happens.

💬 We’d love to hear about your experience:

• Have you noticed that you have lost height since being diagnosed with osteoporosis?
• Has anyone ever checked you for a vertebral or spinal compression fracture?
• Do you experience ongoing back pain or changes in posture?
• Before your diagnosis, did you know that height loss could sometimes be connected to osteoporosis?

@Froowees918 @1Fraglookuck

Some osteoporosis symptoms can be easy to overlook because they happen gradually.

What was the first physical change that made you realise your bone health might need attention?

With care,

Razar from the Carenity team 💖