Osteoporosis Symptoms

The development of osteoporosis usually occurs gradually over a number of years. During the early stages symptoms often go unnoticed. Early warning signs can be pain in the joints or difficulty standing or sitting up straight.

Once the bones have thinned a lot breaks in the wrists, hips and spinal vertebra are most common. These breaks can be very serious as the bones no longer have the same ability to heal.

One of the most obvious signs in old people is the characteristic stoop. This happens due to fractures in the spine and the body can no longer hold itself erect.

When to see your doctor:

• If you are post menopause and you have a constant pain in area like your neck or back you should talk to your doctor.

• If you are at risk of esteoporisis ask your doctor about a medical assessment and bone density test.

• If you have sever pain in any of your bones or suspect a bone fracture contact your doctor or emergency department immediately.  

Osteoporosis Diagnosis:

Your doctor will usually begin with a physical examination and discussion about your medical history, lifestyle and any other factors that may indicate a risk of osteoporosis. They may recommend a bone density test that measures the bone density at various points in your body.

The bone density test can detect osteoporosis and also predict fractures before they occur. If they are sufficiently far apart bone density tests can be used to monitor the progress of your osteoporosis and also the success of treatment.

Bone density tests use low dose x-rays to measure the density of the bone. The varying absorption of x-rays as they pass through the body is interpreted by a computer and displayed as an image. The computer calculates the average density of the bone and compares this with the normal range for the persons age and sex.

The procedure takes about 20 minutes and is painless. You will be asked to lie with your legs raised and your back flat. The x-ray generator and detector will move along the length of your spine and transmit information to a computer.