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What is osteopenia?

Osteopenia is a condition that begins as you lose bone mass and your bones get weaker. This happens when the inside of your bones become brittle from a loss of calcium. It’s very common as you age. Total bone mass peaks around age 35. Sometimes, osteopenia is a precursor to osteoporosis. People who have osteopenia are at a higher risk of having osteoporosis.

SYMPTOMS

What are the symptoms of osteopenia?

Most people who have osteopenia don’t symptoms. Loss of bone mass is not painful. Broken bones or fractures can occur, but these problems tend to happen once you have osteoporosis.

CAUSES & RISK FACTORS

What causes osteopenia?

During your life, your bones constantly change. New bone grows while old bone breaks down and your body absorbs it. When you’re young, you grow new bone faster than your body breaks down old bone. This contributes to a high bone mass. Once your body starts to break down old bone faster than it creates new bone, your bone mass begins to decrease. Loss of bone mass weakens your bones and can cause them to break. The beginning of this decline is known as osteopenia. For some people, it can lead to osteoporosis, which is more severe.

Women are more likely than men to have this condition for several reasons. Women have a lower bone mass overall and absorb less calcium than men do. They also tend to live longer. In women, the rate of bone loss speeds up after menopause as estrogen levels fall. Since the ovaries make estrogen, faster bone loss will occur if both ovaries are removed by surgery.

DIAGNOSIS & TESTS

How can I know if I have osteopenia?

If your healthcare provider suspects you have low bone mass, they may suggest you have a bone density test. A common test that measures bone density is called a dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). This test measures the density of the bones in your hips, spine and wrist. The result can tell if you have osteopenia or osteoporosis, or if your bones are normal. The lower your score, the higher your risk of bone breakage.

PREVENTION

Can osteopenia be prevented or avoided?

You can’t always avoid osteopenia. No matter what you do, bone mass decreases over time. There are other natural factors that increase your risk, including:

• Being Caucasian or Asian (osteopenia is more common in these groups)
• Being a woman (osteopenia is more common in women than men)
• Having a family history of osteopenia or osteoporosis
• Beginning menopause early (before age 45)
• Having surgery to remove ovaries
• Having hyperthyroidism

There are some things you can do to lower your risk.

• Stop smoking or using tobacco.
• Avoid or limit alcohol use and drinking carbonated beverages.
• Get regular exercise.
• Maintain a healthy diet. Eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia, can decrease your bone mass.
• Get enough calcium and vitamin D through foods or supplements.

Long-term use of certain medicines also can increase your risk. Examples include corticosteroids and anticonvulsants.

TREATMENT

How is osteopenia treated?

Treatment for osteopenia starts with changes to your lifestyle. Your healthcare provider will want you to increase your physical activity.   Weight-bearing exercise can help strengthen your bones. It also can build muscle and improve your balance,  which  help prevent against broken bones. Examples of weight-bearing exercise include walking, jogging and climbing steps.

Your healthcare provider will also suggest ways to get more calcium and vitamin D in your diet. Non‑fat and low-fat dairy products, such as yogurt, cheese and milk, are good sources of calcium. Other sources of calcium include dried beans, pink salmon, spinach and broccoli. Some foods, such as orange juice, breads and dry breakfast cereals, may be fortified with calcium or vitamin D or both. Your healthcare provider may suggest a Vitamin D or calcium supplement as well.

Living with osteopenia

Early diagnosis and treatment of osteopenia is important. It can help prevent osteoporosis and future health problems.