Category: Skeletal health

Growth hormone deficiency is one of the most treatable causes of short stature in children, impacting their growth plates. But **what illness makes you shorter** at different life stages, and what are the underlying conditions causing a reduction in height over time? This guide explores the medical reasons behind a shrinking stature.

An estimated 50% of infants develop some degree of positional plagiocephaly, or a flat spot on the head, often from constant pressure in one position. For adults asking, 'Why is the back of my head flat and dent on top?', the explanation can range from an uncorrected childhood condition to more complex causes like trauma or underlying medical issues that affect the skull's shape over time.

According to Mayo Clinic, having a smaller body frame size is a risk factor for osteoporosis because there is less bone mass to draw from as we age. This fact leads many to question: why are some people small-boned, and what truly determines this natural skeletal variation? The answer is a complex interplay of inherited traits and developmental influences.

While a new dent on top of the head can be alarming, many people have natural, harmless variations in their skull shape that are not a cause for concern. However, a new or changing indentation could signal an underlying condition that requires a medical evaluation, making it important to understand the full range of causes for a dent on top of the head.

While osteoporosis—a condition of low bone density—is widely known, the opposite is a phenomenon few consider. In a small percentage of the population, genetic factors or other medical conditions can cause extremely high bone density, a condition known as high bone mass (HBM).

While babies are famously known to have soft spots called fontanelles, an adult’s skull is made of fully fused, solid bone. Therefore, the sensation of a soft spot on the back of the skull can be very alarming and is a finding that warrants immediate medical attention to determine the underlying cause and answer the question, **Why is the back of my skull soft?**

Genetically predicted height has been linked to a higher risk for numerous non-cardiovascular conditions, highlighting that stature is more than just an aesthetic trait. So, what happens when you're too tall? For individuals at the extreme end of the height spectrum, biological and genetic factors can create unique health challenges that are important to understand.

Pectus excavatum, the most common chest wall deformity, affects approximately 1 in 400 children. A dent in your chest, known medically as pectus excavatum or 'funnel chest,' varies significantly in severity, and understanding its nature is the first step toward informed action.

Chronic psychosocial stress is a known risk factor for many somatic disorders. While it might seem like a bizarre side effect, there is a complex biological connection that raises the question: **Can stress make you shrink in height?** In both adults and children, sustained stress can interfere with key physiological processes that govern skeletal health.

Cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD) is a rare genetic disorder affecting bone and tooth development, occurring in an estimated one in a million births. While its symptoms can be complex, many people have questions about its long-term impact. So, what is the life expectancy of someone with cleidocranial dysplasia?