We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is Osteopenia?

Tricia Christensen
By
Updated: Jan 28, 2024
Views: 11,306
Share

Osteopenia refers to a condition where a person’s bone density, or bone mineral density (BMD) is measured as below average. This is not osteoporosis, and some people naturally have a lower BMD than others. It can be an indication that BMD is decreasing, and that osteoporosis will be the result.

Generally, when a person is 30, they have the highest possible measurement of bone mineral density. If at that age, BMD is already lower than average, the person is said to have osteopenia. As people age, and particularly as women reach menopause, they tend to lose some bone mass. Even if you have a good diet, exercise regularly and don’t smoke, osteopenia may occur. Both it, and osteoporosis are partly determined by genetics; bone mass density appears to be higher in certain populations. Women who are thin, Caucasian or Asian, are most at risk for both conditions.

There are usually no symptoms caused by osteopenia, since lower BMD doesn’t mean your bones are fragile enough to break. What is important is that women have a bone scan to evaluate BMD. One scan can measure whether you have osteopenia, but it cannot tell you the rate at which bone mass is being lost. If you have a lower BMD, you may need to have scans done yearly in order to evaluate the chances of developing osteoporosis.

An evaluation of BMD through bone scan is a quick series of x-rays called dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Some people have bone scans done with computerized axial tomography (CAT) scans instead. DEXA is thought more accurate, and the level of radiation not any more risky than a basic chest x-ray. The DEXA process is so precise it can measure as little as a 2% below normal reading of BMD.

If you are diagnosed with osteopenia, you will be given information on changing your diet to include more calcium, ceasing smoking, and adding more exercise opportunities to your lifestyle. If a second scan a year later shows that your BMD is decreasing, you may also be given medication. There are several new ones on the market that help to slow and may even help to sustain bone density, like Boniva®.

A person with osteopenia does not necessarily develop osteoporosis, but it is true that most women begin to lose bone mass after the age of 30. Abstaining from smoking, avoiding caffeine, getting regular exercise, including not only aerobic work but also strength training, can help slow bone loss.

Sometimes osteopenia is the result of certain conditions. Chemotherapy, used for people with many different forms of cancer, can cause a lower BMD. If you take steroids for conditions like lupus, this may too, result in a below normal BMD reading. Medications for the treatment of seizures and bipolar disorders like Tegretol®, Dilantin®, and Neurontin® can all reduce bone mass. Usually, there’s no way to avoid taking these medications when you need them. Thus it’s important to embrace lifestyle changes so as not reduce your BMD further.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Tricia Christensen
By Tricia Christensen
With a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and years of experience as a WiseGeek contributor, Tricia Christensen is based in Northern California and brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to her writing. Her wide-ranging interests include reading, writing, medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion, all of which she incorporates into her informative articles. Tricia is currently working on her first novel.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
With a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and years of experience as a WiseGeek contributor, Tricia...
Learn more
Share
https://www.wise-geek.com/what-is-osteopenia.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.