Red flag warning for ‘silent’ disease affecting millions, only detected when people fall

Every year, more than half a million people suffer fractures due to a widespread condition that often goes unnoticed. It is estimated that more than three million Britons could suffer from osteoporosis, a condition that weakens bones and increases the risk of fractures.

Many people with this potentially fatal condition don’t realize it until an unfortunate fall or collision results in a fracture. However, there is one telltale sign that may suggest the presence of osteoporosis: your posture.

The NHS has highlighted that some patients may start to hunch or bend forward, a consequence of spinal fractures caused by reduced bone density. It said: “Although a broken bone is often the first sign of osteoporosis, some older people develop a characteristic stooped (leaning forward) posture. This happens when the bones in the spine are broken, making it difficult to support the body’s weight.”

Describing osteoporosis as a condition that gradually weakens bones over time, the NHS said: “It develops slowly over many years and is often only diagnosed when a fall or sudden impact causes a bone to break (fracture).”

According to the NHS, the most common injuries for people with osteoporosis are fractures of the wrists, hips and spine. However, they can also lead to fractures of other bones, such as those in the arm or pelvis, reports Gloucestershire Live.

And he warns that even an innocent event can trigger a fracture: “Sometimes a cough or sneeze can cause a rib fracture or partial collapse of a bone in the spine. Osteoporosis is usually not painful until a bone is broken, but broken bones in the spine are a common cause of long-term pain.”

What is behind this condition?

As we age, bone loss is a natural process, but in some people it happens much faster than usual, setting the stage for osteoporosis and a higher risk of fractures. Postmenopausal women are particularly vulnerable, rapidly losing bone density in the years following menopause.

This risk is increased in women who experience early menopause (before age 45) or who have had their ovaries removed. But postmenopausal women aren’t the only ones who need to be wary: osteoporosis can affect men, young women, and even children. Other risk factors include: