Osteoporosis is a condition that causes the bones to become weak and brittle. Your body is constantly breaking down and building new bones. Osteoporosis occurs when the bones break down faster than the body can replace them. One of the keys to getting the proper treatment is to recognize the symptoms. There are a number of symptoms that you may notice if you have osteoporosis:

1. Receding gums
Osteoporosis doesn’t just affect your bones. It can also affect your gums. You may notice that your teeth appear longer than usual. They may also bleed when you brush. Additionally, your teeth may become loose. The reason that osteoporosis causes your gums to recede is because it can also affect your jaw bone. There are a few things that you can do if you have receding gums. Your dentist can perform scaling and root planing. This is a procedure that removes bacteria and places the gum tissue back over the tooth root.

2. Loss of height
If it seems like you are getting shorter, then this is not something that you should ignore. This problem is caused by compression fractures in the spine. It is normal for you to lose about a half-inch of your height every 10 years after the age of 40. However, if you have osteoporosis, then you may lose more of your height at a much more rapid rate. Unfortunately, there isn’t anything that you can do to get height back after you lose it. The good news is that if you get osteoporosis treated, then you can keep it from getting worse.

3. Stooped posture
Your spine may curve as the result of the compression of the vertebrae. A stooped back is also known as kyphosis. Stooped posture is more than just a nuisance. It can lead to serious health problems. If your posture is stooped, then it can be harder for you to expand your lungs. This can make it harder for you to breathe.

4. Back pain
Because this condition causes your spine to compress (i.e., collapsed vertebra), you may experience back pain. This pain can be excruciating and can interfere with your ability to complete your normal activities. This can also cause a pinched nerve.

5. Fractures
A fracture is a sign of weak bones. It is normal for someone to break a bone after a hard fall or accident. However, if you have osteoporosis, then your bones will break a lot easier than usual. It doesn’t take a lot for you to break a bone. In fact, you can break a bone if you have a minor movement, such as stepping off a curb. Some people break a bone after they sneeze or cough.