The 'silent disease,' osteoporosis produce few if any symptoms.  During the early stages of osteoporosis, many people exhibit no symptoms.  Symptoms may not reveal themselves until a persons sustains a fall, and thereby fractures or breaks a bones.  There are a few symptoms, however, that may be seen:

• Fractured or broken bones to an unusually light amount of stress
• Loss of height
• Severe back pain
• Spinal deformities (kyphosis)

You may see these signs as 'poor posture,' the stoop of an elderly woman.  Or, perhaps your back is hurting you more than what it used to when you were younger.  Most significantly, however, you may fracture or break a bone, and be surprised at how little it took to do so.  The fact is that as bone mass deteriorates, you become increasingly likely to cause damage to your bones through a fall.  

When to seek help
Because osteoporosis produces few, if any symptoms, it is important to discuss with your doctor the likelihood of you getting osteoporosis, so that you can begin doing something about it now.  Only by visiting your doctor for a broken or fractured bone are you likely to find out that you are experiencing osteoporosis.  To read more about how your doctor will make a diagnosis based on the definition for osteoporosis, read the how to diagnose osteoporosis section that follows.