What is osteopenia and how is it treated?
What is osteopenia and how is it treated?
Osteopenia is a condition that describes a lack of mineral density in the bones. ‘Osteo’ means “related to bones”, and ‘penia’, means “to lack or have a deficiency”. This condition is essentially the preliminary form of osteoporosis and indicates low bone mineral density (BMD)—the total bone mineral composition of a person’s bones.
How do I know if I have osteopenia?
In order to diagnose osteopenia, your doctor will do a bone density test. Bone density measures bone mass and bone strength. One type of test is a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA or DXA). It measures bone density in your hips, spine, and wrist. The result can tell if you have osteopenia or osteoporosis,…
Is osteopenia a sign of coeliac disease or normal aging?
It is also a sign of normal aging, in contrast to osteoporosis which is present in pathologic aging. Osteopenia is also a common effect of coeliac disease, even among patients who are otherwise asymptomatic.
How do you know if you have osteopenia?
Osteopenia, which affects about half of Americans over age 50, would fall somewhere in between. The main way to determine your bone density is to have a painless, noninvasive test called dual -energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) that measures the mineral content of bone.
What age does bone density peak in osteopenia?
Overview. If you have osteopenia, you have lower bone density than normal. Your bone density peaks when you’re about 35 years old. Bone mineral density (BMD) is the measurement of how much bone mineral is in your bones.
How do bisphosphonates work to treat osteopenia?
These medications work to curb the body’s natural process of breaking down bone. Because osteopenia is caused by a rapid loss of bone that surpasses the generation of bone, bisphosphonates are effective measures for preventing osteopenia or slowing down its progression.
How do you test for osteopenia and bone density?
Osteopenia and bone density test The main way to determine your bone density is to have a painless, noninvasive test called dual -energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) that measures the mineral content of bone. The measurements, known as T-scores, determine which category — osteopenia, osteoporosis, or normal — a person falls into (see graphic).
