I Didn’t Know That . . .

Q: Why do we get shorter as we age?

A: Primarily because of compression of discs in the spine. These discs, which separate and cushion the vertebrae, are compressed during normal daytime activity, and we actually shrink slightly over the course of a day. During the night, however, they expand to their full size and normal height is restored. Over time, the discs lose their ability to restore themselves and a healthy individual may lose as much as an inch of height. If a person suffers from osteoporosis--a thinning of the bones--the discs degrade more and the shrinkage is greater. A height loss of more than an inch should prompt a visit to a doctor and treatment for osteoporosis.