Osteoporosis is one disease that causes the loss of too many bones in the body. It can even make the bones brittle. The difference between an osteoporotic and normal bone is that a healthy bone looks like a honeycomb under the microscope while an osteoporotic bone’s honeycomb has larger spaces and holes. When bones become less dense, they become more vulnerable and weaker and are more likely to break.

Here are the top four complications arising from osteoporosis:

1. Bone Fractures
One of the complications arising from osteoporosis is bone fractures, especially if they occur in the hip and the spine. Such an issue arises due to a fall, and in extreme cases, these can lead to permanent disability. Moreover, the patient may die in the first year of the injury itself. As for fractures in the spine, these can occur, even if you have not sustained a fall. Furthermore, your vertebrae, which are the bones that make up your spine, may weaken to a point where they would crumple. Consequently, you might see a loss in height, experience back pain, or have a hunched forward posture.

2. Heart Failure
Another complication that may arise from osteoporosis is heart failure. This can occur because of extensive Paget’s disease of bone that may force your heart to exert more than usual to pump blood to those areas of the body that are affected. Things can worsen in those patients who already have an existing heart condition, as they can have heart failure at a much faster rate.

3. Loss of Self-esteem
Osteoporosis is known to cause small breaks in backbones or vertebrae, which can have a huge toll on your emotions. So, when a patient with osteoporosis suffers an osteoporotic fracture, he or she may have lower self-esteem. This may occur because of loss of independence and the feeling of helplessness. Depression and anxiety are the common co-morbidities of osteoporosis.

4. Respiratory Problems
There are several respiratory problems, which may result in complications arising from osteoporosis. These begin with shortness of breath and escalate further. Then, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is often linked with osteoporosis. Next, during the treatment of fractures related to osteoporosis, a person may have to suffer from blockage of lung blood vessels. There is also a link between vertebroplasty, osteoporosis, and pulmonary emboli. In case, you or someone you know has osteoporosis and simultaneously have breathing-related issues, it is important that you promptly get in touch with a healthcare professional. If these conditions are not treated on time, repercussions can be lethal.

It is recommended that if your age is 50 or more, get a bone density test with the help of a healthcare provider or doctor.