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5 signs of osteoporosis that shouldn’t be ignored

5 signs of osteoporosis that shouldn’t be ignored

Osteoporosis (OP) is a health condition where the bones become weak and susceptible to unprecedented fractures. This health condition affects around 10 million people aged 50 or above. There are treatments and lifestyle changes to cope with the condition. Several osteoporosis symptoms go undetected until a later stage, often until a fracture. Therefore, learning about these uncommon, rarely noticed signs of osteoporosis may help one fight the condition effectively.

Receding gums
The teeth in the human body are linked to the jawbone. So if someone is affected by osteoporosis, they might start losing bones, thus causing the gums to recede. The loss of bone density can also make it easier for bacteria to penetrate and affect the bone, thus leading to gum disease.

Weak, brittle fingernails
Weak or brittle fingernails may develop because of several factors, including regular gardening, swimming, and other activities. However, people with OP may also develop brittle or weak nails.

Genetics
Sometimes people with a family history of osteoporosis are also likely to develop the condition. The risk is higher if the mother or father has fractured a hip due to low bone density.

Loss of height
An individual may start losing a little height as they age. However, when osteoporosis advances to a later stage, it may lead to excessive loss of height. It happens when there is a vertebral fracture due to the phenomenon of weakened bones.

Loss of grip strength
Postmenopausal women sometimes develop weaker handgrip strength. This symptom is linked to the development of osteoporosis. It also occurs because of other contributing factors, such as smaller, thinner bones in women and reduced estrogen when menopause begins.

Therapy
Several methods of treating osteoporosis exist. Two prescriptions often recommended by healthcare experts include:

Evenity®
This prescription helps treat OP in women after menopause who are at high risk of fracture or cannot use another OP prescription. It can also be prescribed to women who did not respond well to other therapies. The dosage is administered with two separate injections, one after the other, under a healthcare expert’s guidance.

FORTEO
FORTEO is another injection given to postmenopausal women with osteoporosis at high risk of fracturing their bones. This option can also increase bone mass in men with primary or hypogonadal OP at an increased risk of fractures who cannot use other osteoporosis remedies. The injection may also be given to men with primary or hypogonadal OP and postmenopausal women who cannot use other osteoporosis therapies.