Height Loss

What Causes Loss Of Height?

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.

Diagnose your symptoms now!
  • let The Analyst™ find what's wrong
  • identify any nutritional deficiencies
  • have a doctor review your case (optional)

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:

  • Research the topic
  • Find a doctor with the time
  • Use a diagnostic computer system.
The process is the same, whichever method is used.

Step 1: List all Possible Causes

We begin by identifying the disease conditions which have "loss of height" as a symptom.  Here are two possibilities:
  • Poor Musculoskeletal Health
  • Osteoporosis

Step 2: Build a Symptom Checklist

We then identify all possible symptoms and risk factors of each possible cause, and check the ones that apply:
caffeinated soft drink consumption
history of stress fractures
history of broken bones
limited lifetime sun exposure
diffuse bone pain
likely history of stress fractures
bone loss advanced / rapid
minor joint pain/swelling/stiffness
long-term low-carb dieting
herniated disc(s)
high alcohol consumption
coffee consumption
... and so on

Step 3: Rule Out or Confirm each Possible Cause

A differential diagnosis of your symptoms and risk factors finds the likely cause of loss of height:
Cause Probability Status
Osteoporosis 99% Confirm
Poor Musculoskeletal Health 66% Possible
* This is a simple example to illustrate the process

Arriving at a Correct Diagnosis

The Analyst™ is our online diagnosis tool that learns all about you through a straightforward process of multi-level questioning, providing diagnosis at the end.

In the Skeletal Symptoms section of the questionnaire, The Analyst™ will ask the following question about height loss:
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)
Based on your response to this question, which may indicate either loss of height or significant loss of height, The Analyst™ will consider possibilities such as:
Osteoporosis - Osteopenia

Loss of height is an early sign of bone loss.

Poor Musculoskeletal Health

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.

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