How can I prevent myself from growing taller?” may seem like a strange question, but you may be surprised to know that many people are actually wondering the same thing. Whether it’s for personal or medical reasons, it’s important to understand what can be done to limit your height growth. Here’s some information on what you can do to stop yourself from becoming taller.
Is it possible to stop growing taller?
From childhood to adolescence, your bones undergo growth and development until you reach your adult height. However, as you enter middle age, your body gradually begins to shrink.
It’s important to understand that your height is not constant and can change throughout your life. Nonetheless, it is not possible to stop yourself from growing taller. The long bones in your arms and legs maintain their length throughout your life. Most of the height loss associated with aging is due to the compression of the discs between your vertebrae.
Why do you need to stop growing taller?
Growing too fast and exceeding the set standard during growing years might lead to health issues. One of the noticeable symptoms is growing pains. They are not harmful, but kids might feel uncomfortable in the bones of their legs. That is because the cartilage might not be growing at the same speed as the bones, so there is a pull that feels like a sharp pain.
Also, excess levels of growth hormones might lead to a disorder, called acromegaly. It causes a permanent overgrowth of bones, particularly those of the hands and feet. Moreover, the person’s skin is affected and becomes coarse, thick, and hairy. Badly, you might experience side effects including high blood pressure and heart disease.
And if the tumor occurs in childhood, increased height might result in gigantism. This is a condition in which a person’s arms and legs grow especially long, and height might be over 8 feet. It should be noted that this increase just occurs in connective tissue, which means it does not contribute to muscle strength. In the long term, muscle weakness can be a problem.
Aside from issues mentioned above, some of the medical conditions, such as pituitary gland tumors or Marfan syndrome, might make children grow tall too quickly and affect their overall health badly. But you need to visit a doctor to determine whether your kids have any medical concerns.
How to stop growing taller?
If the complex interaction of genes, nutrients, and hormones makes bone cells multiply at the growth plate of long bones, it is also responsible for the ending of linear growth. The hormone estrogen is known to be secreted after puberty to cause the growth plates of the bones to fuse. That is why some opt for injecting estrogen into the body to close the growth centers of long bones and make them unable to react to the hormones that trigger growth.
Bone-shortening surgeries do exist, but it is rare to be used for the only purpose of making you shorter. These surgeries are often reserved for counter-balancing leg length changes.
However, both methods are complicated and might lead to side effects.
Other concerns relating to getting shorter
Is there any exercise that prevents you from getting taller?
Although some suppose that lifting weights when you were young might stunt your growth, there is no proof that this is the case. In fact, a properly designed exercise program can help enhance your bones and prevent your joints from injury.
Lifting weight does not result in growth stunning, but resistance training with poor technique or with heavy weights might hurt your growth plates. Since they are the soft areas of your bones from which they grow, if they get hurt, it might affect your height growth.
How to make you look shorter?
As mentioned above, there is no possible way to make you shorter; however, there are a couple of ways you can give yourself a short illusion.
- Break your body into parts instead of emphasizing the length with long clothing to make you appear shorter. For instance, you could put on a pink top with a pair of jeans and white shoes. And do not forget to wear a belt or a cardigan to add another layer.
- Roll up your pants or wear pants with cuffs on the bottom.
- Wear horizontal stripes and a variety of colors and patterns to focus on your weight, not your height.
- Use a wide belt when you are wearing a long dress to make people forget how tall you are.
- Wear capri pants, boot-cut pants, or any garment that breaks up your leg’s appearance to lessen emphasis from your leg length.
- Try long or baggy shirts and jackets to make your legs shorter.
- Carry a large bag to make you appear shorter.
- Wear flat shoes with a low amount of padding.
- Choose patterned shoes for men to shorten the look of your feet.
- Select shoes that cover more skin or the central part of your foot.
- Avoid wearing pointed shoes because they might make your legs look longer.
- Try a haircut with long and short layers to give yourself a short image.
Is it necessary to visit a doctor?
Yes, it is. You should talk to a doctor if you have any issues with your height. It is because they might reject the chance of any underlying medical conditions. They also provide reassurance about being taller.
It is truly necessary to visit your doctor every single year to determine whether you fall on a growth chart compared to the others at the same age.
Learn to accept your tall stature
Your height is only one part of you and does not stop you from enjoying a happy life. Try to make a list of all your best qualities to make you stop concentrating on your height. Also, it is necessary to list the advantages of being tall to help you stop thinking about the negative effects.
And to reduce how much others notice your height, try standing around tall people. Finding those at your same height can make you feel more confident and less self-conscious, therefore less likely to bend yourself.
Some medical conditions that cause uncontrollable height increase
There are certain medical conditions that can cause excessive and uncontrollable height increase. Here are a few examples:
- Gigantism: Gigantism is a rare condition caused by an excess production of growth hormone before the closure of growth plates during puberty. It results in an abnormal and excessive increase in height.
- Marfan syndrome: Marfan syndrome is a genetic disorder that affects connective tissues in the body. One of the characteristics of this syndrome is tall stature, as it can cause abnormal bone growth and elongation.
- Sotos syndrome: Sotos syndrome, also known as cerebral gigantism, is a genetic disorder characterized by excessive physical growth during childhood. This condition can lead to increased height, among other symptoms.
- Homocystinuria: Homocystinuria is a metabolic disorder that affects the body’s ability to break down certain amino acids. Tall stature is one of the features associated with this condition.
- Pituitary adenoma: Pituitary adenoma is a noncancerous tumor of the pituitary gland. Depending on the specific type of adenoma, it can cause excessive production of growth hormone, resulting in uncontrollable height increase.
How can I know if I’m still growing taller?
To determine if you’re still experiencing height growth, you can consider the following:
- Monitor your age: Most height growth occurs during puberty, which typically takes place between the ages of 8 and 18 for girls, and 10 and 20 for boys. If you are within this age range, it’s more likely that you may still be growing.
- Track growth patterns: Regularly measure your height, preferably every few months, and keep a record of the measurements. By comparing these measurements over time, you can identify any changes or growth spurts.
- Consider family height patterns: Look at the height patterns within your family. Genetics play a significant role in determining height, so if your parents, siblings, or close relatives experienced late growth spurts or continued to grow after the typical age range, it might indicate the possibility of further growth for you as well.
- Consult with a healthcare professional: If you have concerns about your height development, it’s advisable to consult with a healthcare professional. They can evaluate your growth pattern, assess the potential closure of growth plates, and provide expert guidance based on your individual circumstances.
- Bone age assessment: A bone age assessment, typically done through an X-ray of the hand and wrist, can help determine if your growth plates have fused. Growth plates are areas of developing cartilage at the ends of long bones that contribute to height growth. If your growth plates are still open, it suggests the potential for further growth.
In summary
Being tall is not inherently problematic. However, if you are exceptionally tall due to a medical condition, it is important to consult with your doctor to determine whether there are any associated health concerns. Unless you are receiving medical treatment that could potentially limit your height, there are no treatments that can halt your natural growth.
If you have any concerns regarding your height, it’s best to seek advice from your doctor.
- Related post: How Does Collagen Hydrolysate Affect Height Growth?
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