Osteopenia what is it

On the bright side, good habits can also influence the health of your bones. Eating dark, leafy greens, fish and dairy products and taking a vitamin D supplement can help you keep your bone density at its peak for as long as possible. This is compared to both healthy young adults and people of the same age and sex as the person having the test. Usually, the tests are done on the lower lumbar spine, hips and wrist, as these are the likeliest areas for bones to break.

Bone density testing is used to diagnose osteoporosis, but it can also diagnose osteopenia. The first and most important of these is weight-bearing exercise.

Examples run the gamut—anything from running, hiking and dancing to sports like tennis. Bone density refers to the mass and strength of the bone. While osteopenia does not often cause symptoms, it may increase the risk of other, more harmful bone conditions, such as osteoporosis.

However, a person can take steps to protect their bones and reduce the risk of osteoporosis. Throughout life, the body reabsorbs or breaks down bone cells. However, other specialized cells use calcium to build new bone. The bones, therefore, generally retain their mass and strength. As a person ages, the body reabsorbs the bone cells faster than it can replace them, which leads to a decrease in bone density.

In this article, we explain the causes of low bone density, as well as ways to boost bone density and prevent osteoporosis. According to Harvard Medical School, around half of all people over the age of 50 years in the United States have osteopenia. Women, especially after menopause , have a much higher risk than men of developing the condition. However, one third of white and Asian men over 50 years of age have osteopenia. The bones contain minerals including phosphate and calcium that make them strong and dense.

The weaker the bones become, the more easily they break. Due to a lack of symptoms, most people do not know they have osteopenia until they have a bone density test. The most common bone density test that doctors use is called a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry DEXA. The National Osteoporosis Foundation suggests that the best places to perform the test are the hip or spine. Doctors use a T-score to report the test results. These exercises can help reduce your chances of falling.

Hip abductors strengthen your hips and improve balance. Do this 2 to 3 times a week. Toe raises and heel raises strengthen lower legs and improve balance. Do them each day.

Wear shoes for this exercise if you have pain in your feet. Prone leg lifts strengthen your lower back and buttocks and stretch the front of your thighs. Do this exercise 2 to 3 times a week. The best way to prevent osteopenia is to avoid the behaviors that cause it. People of all ages can help their bones stay strong by maintaining a healthy diet, making sure they get enough calcium and vitamin D.

In addition to food, another way to get vitamin D is with a small amount of sun exposure. Talk with your doctor about safe sun exposure based on your other health conditions. It is very important to build strong and dense bones.

Here are 10 natural nutrition and lifestyle tips to build and maintain healthy bones. Osteoporosis is a chronic condition, but certain medications and lifestyle modifications can help you to prevent and treat bone loss. Find out what it is, the benefits of getting it, and other things to think about here. Osteoporosis and osteopenia are conditions that affect the strength and health of your bones. Learn about the primary differences between the two and…. If you have osteoporosis, diet plays a vital role in managing your condition.

Weight bearing exercise with light weights or elastic bands can strengthen the bones in the upper body. The prognosis for people with osteopenia is good if diet and exercise recommendations are followed.

Bone density can be stabilized and fracture risk further minimized with supplements and medications. Weight-bearing and strengthening exercise not only stimulates stronger bones, it also helps in fall prevention.

In addition to over-the-counter supplements, a physician may prescribe a prescription medication to prevent further prevent bone mass loss. Not every person requires additional prescription medication to treat their osteopenia pain. Complications of osteopenia may include increased risk of further bone deterioration osteoporosis or bone fracture.

Give Research Contact. Osteopenia What is Osteopenia? Osteopenia Symptoms Osteopenia usually has no symptoms and is frequently not detected unless a person: Has a bone density test Experiences localized bone pain and weakness in an area of a broken bone osteopenia pain Osteopenia Diagnosis If osteopenia is suspected, we perform a physical examination and ask questions about symptoms.