Aging doesn’t just mean changes in your vision, hearing or memory. Many people fear losing height and becoming stooped over as they get older, but it’s not a given.
Height loss is usually attributed to how aging changes the bones, muscles, and joints. The cartilage between the joints gets worn out over time.
While losing some height as you get older is normal, a significant loss of height can be attributed to osteoporosis. This medical condition happens when bone density deteriorates and becomes weaker, making a person more prone to fractures. Unfortunately, the disease often has few if any symptoms in the early stages, making it more difficult to recognize until someone sustains a broken bone.
Osteoporosis cannot always be prevented, but diet and lifestyle modifications are two important ways you can control your health. Eating a diet rich in calcium, vitamin D and other nutrients, as well as getting regular exercise, can be very beneficial. It is important not to smoke or drink to excess. Carrying excess body weight can also put you at risk for losing height over the years.
Others who lose less than 1 inch of height often do so because the intervertebral discs lose height with age due to wear and tear over the years.
Contact Us at Comprehensive Spine Institute
Are you concerned about your loss of height? Contact us at Comprehensive Spine Institute for an evaluation with one of our orthopedic surgeons. Reach out at (727) 300-2537 or contact us online to reach out.