| Understanding osteopenia and osteoporosis. | | | | Americans have osteoporosis, including eight million |
| Osteopenia is also referred to as low bone mass or | | | | women and two million men. From these statistics, |
| low bone density, a condition in which a person | | | | you can see that osteopenia and osteoporosis are |
| experiences a decrease in his or her bone mass that | | | | common yet serious problems in women and men. |
| is greater than the normal amount experienced by | | | | Furthermore, over 33 million additional Americans |
| the average person, and deterioration of his or her | | | | have low bone density of the hip. |
| bone structure. Osteopenia is much more common | | | | The National Institutes of Health reports that 1.5 |
| than osteoporosis, a condition in which a person's | | | | million osteoporotic fractures occur yearly in the |
| bone mass deteriorates to a greater degree than in | | | | United States. This includes 300,000 hip fractures, |
| osteopenia. | | | | 700,000 vertebral or spine fractures, 250,000 wrist |
| Why is it important to know if you have osteopenia | | | | fractures, and 300,000 other types of fractures. |
| or osteoporosis? | | | | Moreover, in 2005 more than $17 billion was spent on |
| Why should you or anyone be concerned with low | | | | patients with osteoporosis. With over 200 million |
| bone mass and strength? The ultimate concern with | | | | people worldwide estimated to have osteoporosis, |
| osteopenia and osteoporosis is that when you have | | | | the condition threatens to be a major problem and |
| decreased bone strength, you are at a higher risk of | | | | may adversely affect the sustainability of healthcare |
| breaking or fracturing a bone. These fractures occur | | | | systems in many countries. It is thought that over |
| particularly at the hip, spine, and wrist. In addition, you | | | | the next 50 years, the incidence of hip fractures will |
| can experience serious medical problems resulting | | | | increase fourfold. |
| from fractures, such as pneumonia, blood clots, | | | | Osteopenia and osteoporosis are silent diseases. |
| depression, lack of independence, and death. | | | | This means that there is nothing that your physician |
| Another concern regarding low bone mass and | | | | will find when examining you, and there are no |
| strength is the potential underlying reason for the | | | | abnormal lab results to diagnose osteopenia and |
| abnormal loss of bone. If the cause is not found and | | | | osteoporosis. Therefore, you need to make sure |
| treated, you may lose more bone. Additionally, you | | | | that your doctor measures your bone mineral |
| may have an undiagnosed medical problem, which | | | | density, and does this over time. What is very |
| may cause other health problems in addition to | | | | important to realize is that when osteopenia and |
| decreased bone mass and strength. For example, if | | | | osteoporosis are diagnosed, your physician should |
| you have a vitamin D deficiency, then your bone | | | | order and check various lab tests to determine |
| mineral density may not adequately respond to | | | | whether a certain medical condition is the cause of |
| medications if this deficiency is not corrected. | | | | your low bone mass, and whether the condition is |
| Another possible underlying cause of low bone mass | | | | treatable or reversible. |
| is hyperthyroidism. Hyperthyroidism is a condition in | | | | Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes |
| which you have an excess amount of the thyroid | | | | only, and is not medical advice. You should always |
| hormone in your body. If the hyperthyroidism is not | | | | consult with a medical professional regarding your |
| detected, your bone mass will likely not respond | | | | health, medical needs, and medical conditions. |
| adequately despite appropriate medications. | | | | Copyright © 2009 by Adam S. Barron, M.D. All |
| It has been estimated that at least 10 million | | | | rights reserved. |