Height Loss Causes: Whose height suddenly decreases, due to which problem does this happen?:

News Topical, Digital Desk : Why Do People Lose Height As They Age: By the time we reach our youth, or middle age, our height reaches a certain level, but it gradually decreases as we age. This change is so gradual that many people don't even notice it. Let's understand this with an example: a man may be about half an inch shorter at the age of 80 than he was at the age of 35. Meanwhile, a woman who was once 5 feet 4 inches tall may remain 5 feet 2 inches tall at the age of 90.

For most people, this loss of height begins gradually between the ages of 40 and 50, but it can accelerate rapidly after age 70. According to doctors, aging changes in the spine, thinning discs, and postural deterioration are common causes of height loss. However, a loss of more than 1 inch is considered abnormal and may indicate a deeper problem.

Is short height a symptom of osteoporosis?

Ruth Jason Hickman, MD, a rheumatology, autoimmune disease, and neurology expert, explains that height loss can sometimes be an early sign of osteoporosis.
This disease causes bones to weaken and thin, increasing the risk of fractures, shrinking the spine, and causing the body to sag. People often discover osteoporosis only when their height decreases or a fracture occurs unexpectedly. One study found that men who lost more than 3 centimeters in height had a doubled risk of hip fracture.

Why does osteoporosis cause height loss?

According to verywellhealth, there are several reasons for this, among which compression fractures come first, in which weak bones easily become victims of minor cracks or pressure fractures. These fractures often do not cause severe pain, hence people ignore them thinking it is a normal backache. But due to this the bones of the spine get compressed and the height starts decreasing. Kyphosis comes at second place, in this the upper back starts appearing rounded or bent. When the bones of the spine become weak due to osteoporosis, the body starts bending forward, due to which the height appears shorter.

Can lost height be regained?

In most cases, height loss due to osteoporosis is irreversible, but you can certainly prevent further height loss. This requires lifestyle changes, quitting smoking, and regular exercise.