Osteoporosis can lead to dowagers humps

Dowagers humps: some frequently asked questions:

1. What is a dowagers hump? Where did the term originate?

Kyphosis and its resultant bent-over posture often associated with older women (although men get them also). Since the word dowager is a technical term for a "dignified elderly woman " it began to be used to describe this condition since so many older women develop the condition.

2. What is the process in developing Kyphosis or dowagers hump?

Kyphosis is a result of advanced osteoporosis. Spinal vertebrae become so porous that it weakens and often fractures spontaneously.

NOTE: There are 3 types of spinal fractures that can occur in advanced osteoporosis.

1. Wedge fracture - the front of the vertebra collapses.
2. Bioncave fracture - the midsection of the vertebra collapses.
3. Crush fracture - the entire vertebra collapses. This leads to lessening in overall height. Your health care providers may have begun to measure begin to measure your height at least once a year because a decrease in height can be an indication that your spine has had a crush fracture.

Dowagers humps (Kyphosis) is usually caused by a wedge fractures. In this kind of fracture the front ofa vertebra collapses. Since the back of the vertebra remains intact, the vertebra 'tips' forward and the spine becomes slightly misaligned and the section above thefracture tips forward making the back curve slightly.

As the vertebrae above the wedge fracture 'tip forward' they put stress on other vertebrae. This stress often causes another vertebra to develop a 'wedge fracture'. As more and more vertebrae collapse in wedge fractures, your back becomes more and more bowed. In very advanced cases of kyphosis a person's becomes severely bent over.

3. Where in the spine do these fractures occur?

Spinal fractures, the kind that leads to dowagers humps, usually occur in the thoracic spine(in the area of your lungs) or upper half of the lumbar spine. These areas extend from the middle of your shoulder blades through your lower back behind yourabdomen.

Spinal fractures in those with advanced osteoporosis of the spinecan occur when lifting something or when sneezing or coughing. Many experience fractures as they come to an upright position after leaning forward. This is one reason why certain exercises should not be done by those with Osteoporosis of the spine. See: Osteoporosis exercise warning Daily activities, exercises to avoid if you have any sort of dowagers humps 4. How will I know if I have a 'wedge fracture'? Are they painful?

• Often a wedge fractures are 'silent'. They do not cause pain and so we do not notice them at all. Those that do cause pain are sometimes ignored since we are all used to 'back pains' and can dismiss it as another symptom of 'getting older'. If you notice a slight rounding of the upper back in yourself, a relative or friend, you may be seeing the beginnings of kyphosis or dowagers hump.
• Sometimes a wedge fracture can lead to a loss of height.Again, this is one reason why your health care provider continues to measure your height during your annual examination.
• Other spinal fractures do cause pain. So, if you have osteopenia or osteoporosis, pay attention to any pain that starts unexpectedly - especially pain that radiates forward towards your abdomen. It may be a sign of a vertebral fracture. Often the pain is worse is you cough or sneeze. It is often relieved when lying down. Some women say that they 'feel full' or lose their appetites after they have had a vertebral fracture.

  Sometimes the pain is severe and your health care provider may prescribe a pain reliever. Usually the pain begins to subside after a few weeks and often disappears entirely.

5. What is it like to live with Kyphosis ( dowagers humps) ?

As Kyphosis develops, you may experiences muscle fatigueand pain in your neck and shoulders because of needing to stretch your neck muscles in order to look 'the world in the face'. Also since you chin gets closer toyour rib cage, you are using new muscles to balance you head. This is fatiguing.

If Kyphosis advances to there is a more of a hump, it often becomes more difficult to breath deeply since dowagers hump reduces how far your lungs expand.

And the posture of the upper spine changes, your abdomen may begin to protrude. This distresses some people. Also the changed posture makes it difficult to get clothes to fit well. Some women begin to avoid social occasions because they do not like the way they look. (You may want to check our some clothing tips for those with back hump.

Finally , as the dowagers hump becomes more pronounced, some women become fearful of falling and they begin to limit their activities.

6. Is there any thing you can do about a dowagers hump?

Yes. Of course there is.
• First and best intervention is to prevent spinal fractures from occurring in the first place. Bone loss can be reversed. If your dexa scans shows that you have bone loss, I hope you will read Osteopenia and Osteoporosis treatments that work
• Second, here is a page about what NOT to do, if you want to prevent more spinal fractures. Exercises and activities to avoid

• Third, if you are having trouble sleeping, you may want to read about Mattresses and Osteoporosisor Osteopenia. See: Choosing a mattress
• Fourth, you can read about the Medical treatments for back humps

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