Osteoporosis can make a person’s bones brittle and weak. They become so brittle that even coughing or bending over can lead to a fracture. The fracture mainly appears in the spine, wrist, or hip. Besides, with osteoporosis, the new bone’s creation fails to keep up with the loss. The conduction can affect anyone, irrespective of age and gender. So, what are the first signs and symptoms of osteoporosis? Let us address them one by one.

1. Weaker grip strength
One of the first signs and symptoms of osteoporosis is weaker handgrip strength. The problem is usually triggered by inadequate bone mineral density. The patient’s grip becomes so soft that they even experience trouble turning doorknobs and opening cans. One would also take a lot of time to get up from a seated position on the floor. Low grip strength also heightens a person’s risk for falls. Hence, patients need to pay immediate attention to their bones.

Studies suggest a direct relation between bone and muscle density in the spine, hip, and forearm, and handgrip strength. This is particularly true for women. To strengthen the handgrip, one can try yoga or weight-intensive exercises. These can also help overcome posture problems, thereby lowering any chance of future falls.

2. Weak and brittle fingernails
Both bones and nails comprise disulfide bonds, which make proteins stick to one another. Though nails consist of keratin, a hard protein, the bones contain collagen. If a person continuously experiences brittle nails that break or chip easily, it might be an outcome of the weak disulfide bonds in the nails. These weakened bonds might reflect in the bones as well. The bonds need to be strengthened by adding more calcium to the diet to overcome the problem.

3. Receding gums
Our teeth are attached firmly to the jaw bone. And if the jaw bone loses density or becomes weak, the gums may recede. If the problem does not seem to go, it may be a sign of osteoporosis. In such as situation, one should consult a dentist and get a screening of the jaw to assess the bone loss.

4. Curved or stooped spine shape
Osteoporosis usually weakens the vertebrae, causing them to become wedge-shaped over time. This leads to a curve in the patient’s upper back. The condition is also referred to as the widow’s hump. Though it does not directly result in back pain, it tends to weaken the spine, making it hard for the spine to handle regular stress.

5. Fracture from standing
When the bone breaks easily, it is another sign and symptom of osteoporosis. Sadly, this sign does not come to the forefront until the patient suffers a fracture from any low-impact incident, which would lead only to a bruise or bump in a usual circumstance.