Loss of height can have various causes, ranging in severity from 'troubling' to 'serious'. Finding the true cause means ruling out or confirming each possibility – in other words, diagnosis.
Diagnosis is usually a complex process due to the sheer number of possible causes and related symptoms. In order to diagnose loss of height, we could:
Cause | Probability | Status |
---|---|---|
Osteoporosis | 99% | Confirm |
Poor Musculoskeletal Health | 66% | Possible |
Are you shorter than you used to be?
Possible responses:
→ No / don't know→ Yes, an inch (2.5cm) or less → Yes, more than one inch (2.5cm) |
Loss of height is an early sign of bone loss.
A loss of height can be as a result of the discs between the vertebrae in the spine compressing. An aging spine can also become more curved, and vertebrae can collapse (compression fracture) due to loss of bone density (osteoporosis). Loss of muscle in the torso can also contribute to stooped posture. Even the gradual flattening of the arches of the feet can make you slightly shorter. All of these factors are an indicator for poor musculoskeletal health.