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Symptoms and people at risk of osteoporosis
Symptoms of the disease
- Osteoporosis does not usually cause no symptoms, hence its nicknames of “silent thief” or “silent evil”. Often, bone loss is not noticed until after a fracture occurred during a fall;
- One of its first symptoms is sometimes a size reduction (4 cm or more). This decrease is related to a back stiffness caused by sagging vertebrae. This sagging can lead to severe pain in the Both of you.
People at risk
- People over the age of 65 years ;
- People who have already undergone crushing of the vertebrae or a vertebral fracture ;
- People with family history fractures caused by osteoporosis;
- Women who have had a early menopause (before the age of 45), for natural reasons or after the removal of their ovaries. The production of estrogen, which helps maintain bone mass, is greatly reduced during menopause. The longer the body is exposed to estrogen, the lower the risk of osteoporosis. Additionally, women who lack estrogen due to a condition called hypogonadism are also at increased risk;
- People with disease that interferes with the absorption of calcium in the intestine (eg, Crohn’s disease);
- Women who have had periods of amenorrhea of more than 6 months (except pregnancy);
- People who have already received treatment for corticosteroids orally for more than 3 months. Also, those who have taken or are taking anticonvulsant drugs or heparin;
- To a lesser extent, people with rheumatoid arthritis or who have had hyperthyroidism in the past. These 2 factors are considered minor.