| Osteopenia is considered the first step along the road | | | | doctors argue about whether medications are |
| to osteoporosis, a serious condition in which bone | | | | necessary for women with Osteopenia, the less |
| density is extremely low. Osteopenia, if not treated, | | | | severe form of bone density loss. |
| may result in osteoporosis. Osteopenia encompasses | | | | Calcium is the most critical mineral for bone mass. It is |
| a wide range of fracture risks including age, bone | | | | a vital source of bone strength. Women who |
| mineral density, and clinical risk factors. Osteopenia, | | | | eliminate dairy products from their diet, lose their |
| the milder bone-loss disease, is less well known but | | | | primary source of calcium. That could contribute to |
| affects an estimated eighteen million young and | | | | low bone density. In addition, diuretics, antacids, |
| middle-aged women, including those in their late teens | | | | chemotherapy, hormone therapy for cancer, lithium, |
| and early twenties. | | | | and some medications for seizures can also deplete |
| Some people who have Osteopenia may not have | | | | the bones of calcium. Skeletal mass is the highest in |
| bone loss, but they may naturally have a lower bone | | | | your 30s and depends on diet (calcium and vitamin |
| density. It is diagnosed with a bone mineral density | | | | D), physical activity, and genetics. It is important to |
| (BMD) test, usually done to see whether a person | | | | consume enough calcium and vitamin D throughout |
| has osteoporosis. A standard X-ray is not useful in | | | | your life, in order to achieve maximal peak bone |
| diagnosing Osteopenia because it is not sensitive | | | | density in early and middle years and to maintain |
| enough to detect small amounts of bone loss or | | | | bone in later years. For most adults, a daily intake |
| minor changes in bone density. Bones do not reach | | | | between 1200 and 1500 mg of calcium and 400-800 |
| their greatest density until about 30 years of age. For | | | | IU of Vitamin D is both safe and effective. Vitamin D |
| children and people younger than 30, anything that | | | | helps your body absorb calcium and other minerals. It |
| helps increase bone density will have positive | | | | is added to milk and can be taken in calcium and |
| long-term benefits. A balanced diet and regular | | | | vitamin supplements. Magnesium is also imperative for |
| exercise will help slow the loss of bone density, delay | | | | bone health. It works to keep the calcium in your |
| Osteopenia, and delay or prevent osteoporosis. | | | | bones and out of your soft tissues. |
| Women are far more likely to develop Osteopenia | | | | Osteopenia and Osteoporosis are not always |
| and osteoporosis than men because they lose bone | | | | problems of insufficient calcium intake, but rather of |
| mass sooner and faster. Women who diet | | | | incorrect calcium utilization. Osteopenia may be the |
| excessively to maintain a low body weight often | | | | result of a wide variety of other conditions, disease |
| eliminate dairy products from their diet. This puts | | | | processes, or treatments. In addition, diuretics, |
| them at an increased risk of bone loss because they | | | | antacids, chemotherapy, hormone therapy for |
| may lose their primary source of calcium, a vital | | | | cancer, lithium, and some medications for seizures can |
| source of bone strength. Women should eat a | | | | deplete the bones of calcium. There are usually no |
| healthy diet, maintain a sturdy weight, exercise, and | | | | symptoms with Osteopenia and the disease can go |
| avoid smoking. Low bone mass appears in about 50 | | | | undiagnosed until a fracture occurs. |
| percent of women in their 50's and more than 85 | | | | Treatment options for Osteopenia are often the |
| percent of women in their 70's. Approximately 90 | | | | same methods used for treating osteoporosis. |
| percent of women over the age of seventy-five | | | | Treatment depends on age and risk factors, but it |
| have experienced a bone fracture. Osteopenia | | | | often includes calcium and vitamin D supplementation |
| affects an estimated eighteen million young and | | | | along with a program of weight-bearing exercises. For |
| middle age women. That includes women in their late | | | | some people medication is prescribed. Treatment is |
| teens and early twenties. It is imperative that we | | | | strongly recommended to stop further bone loss and |
| teach our young girls that they must eat healthy and | | | | minimize the risk of fractures. |
| include foods that are high in calcium in their diet. | | | | Osteopenia usually occurs gradually over the course |
| To maintain good bone health you should eat a | | | | of many years. It is the term used for bones that |
| balanced diet that includes adequate calcium and | | | | have become less dense than normal. Osteopenia |
| vitamin D, using supplements when necessary. You | | | | occurs either when the body fails to form enough |
| should also engage in regular physical activity, refrain | | | | new bone, when too much old bone is reabsorbed by |
| from smoking, and avoid heavy alcohol use. While | | | | the body, or when both occur. Remember to do |
| most doctors would recommend medication for | | | | everything you can to prevent Osteopenia and |
| women with osteoporosis to prevent fracture, | | | | osteoporosis because both can lead to fractures. |