| The first time many people ever hear the term | | | | percent are confined to a nursing home. The goal, |
| osteopenia is when their doctor gives them the result | | | | then, is not to put yourself at risk by making sure |
| of their Bone Mineral Density, BMD test. They had | | | | your bones have some density and mass. This is anti |
| reached the age of 50 and their physician wanted a | | | | aging medicine at its finest. |
| benchmark to measure their bone density as they | | | | Osteopenia is treated by taking steps to keep it |
| got older. Osteopenia, like osteoporosis, refers to | | | | from progressing to osteoporosis. Most people can |
| bone mineral density, but it is lower than normal peak | | | | achieve this by changing their lifestyle. This includes |
| BMD, but not low enough to be diagnosed as | | | | changing their diet to include sources of calcium such |
| osteoporosis. Bone mineral density measures the level | | | | as dairy and green vegetables. Taking a calcium and |
| of minerals in your bones. The minerals indicate how | | | | vitamin D supplement are also part of the solutions. |
| dense and strong your bones are. | | | | Exercise is also important in maintaining strong bones. |
| Bones naturally become thinner starting in middle age | | | | Weight bearing exercises such as walking or biking |
| because existing bone cells are reabsorbed by the | | | | and dancing are good choices. Add to that light |
| body faster than new bone is made. When this | | | | weights or elastic bands to help the upper body. |
| happens, the bones lose minerals and mass making | | | | There are also medicines to treat bone thinning but |
| them weaker all of which increases their chance of | | | | these are more commonly used when you have |
| breaking. | | | | passed osteopenia and are in osteoporosis. The |
| Some people who have osteopenia may not have | | | | problem is some of the drugs carry risks so many |
| bone loss. They may just have a lower bone density. | | | | experts say the diagnosis and drug treatment does |
| It is also the result of illness and eating disorders. If | | | | more harm than good. |
| you are not getting enough of the right nutrients you | | | | It is difficult to prevent osteopenia, at least not |
| are going to lose bone mass. Chemotherapy, steroidal | | | | completely. It all depends on your family history, if |
| medicines and exposure to radiation are other | | | | you are thin, how much calcium and vitamin D you |
| reasons for bone loss. Having a family history of | | | | received when you were a child and as a young adult. |
| osteoporosis or just being thin may also increase | | | | The trick is to increase your bone density before |
| your risk of osteopenia. | | | | you are 30 when the density peaks. If you are over |
| The problem is there are no symptoms for | | | | 30 it is not too late to make lifestyle changes but the |
| osteopenia. Your bones become thinner but you do | | | | results will not be as good. |
| not feel any different or look any different. The | | | | The fact is doctors do not agree on the treatment |
| concern about osteopenia and osteoporosis is that | | | | for osteopenia and for osteoporosis as well. Much of |
| with either you increase your risk of breaking a bone. | | | | the controversy revolves around at what stage to |
| The weaker your bones are the less stability and | | | | take the medications. Others are skeptical about |
| balance you have and you are more likely to fall. | | | | taking medicine for osteopenia because they do not |
| Breaking a hip bone, for example, is well documented | | | | see it as a disease but as a marker for the risk of |
| as the beginning of the end for 25 percent of the | | | | osteoporosis. |
| people who do break their hip bone. Another 25 | | | | |