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I noticed at a recent bridge party that half of the women there had a dowager's hump, that hump at the top of the spine. Most of us are nearing 80. Why do some people develop a hump and others don't?

Scientists are trying to understand that very question. In a recent study scientists examined whether, as with osteoporosis, exercising or taking calcium could make a difference. But unlike osteoporosis, these things did not seem to make any difference. However, since dowager's hump (kyphosis) and osteoporosis are related, it would be a good idea to work on preventing osteoporosis by exercising, abstaining from cigarettes, and taking calcium. Until we know more about what causes kyphosis, this is the best available advice.

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