Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis (thinning bones) is a serious condition that can result in tremendous pain and/or fractures. Risk factors for osteoporosis include aging, being female, low body weight, low sex hormones such as during menopause, smoking, and taking some medications. There are no symptoms of this disease until you fracture a bone.

Osteopenia describes the precursor to osteoporosis. Osteopenia refers to bone mineral density (BMD) that is lower than normal peak BMD but not low enough to be classified as osteoporosis

Bone mineral density is a measurement of the level of minerals in the bones, which indicates the level of density and strength. If your BMD is low compared to normal peak BMD, you are said to have osteopenia. Having osteopenia means there is a greater risk that, as time passes, you may develop BMD that is very low compared to normal, known as osteoporosis.

Bones naturally become thinner as people grow older because, beginning in middle age; existing bone cells are reabsorbed by the body faster than new bone is made. As this occurs, the bones lose minerals, heaviness (mass), and structure, making them weaker and increasing their risk of breaking. All people begin losing bone mass after they reach peak BMD at about 30 years of age. The thicker your bones are at about age 30, the longer it takes to develop osteopenia or osteoporosis.

Some people who have osteopenia may not have bone loss. They may just naturally have a lower bone density. Osteopenia may also be the result of a wide variety of other conditions, disease processes, or treatments. Women are far more likely to develop osteopenia and osteoporosis than men. This is because women have a lower peak BMD and because the loss of bone mass speeds up as hormonal changes take place at the time of menopause. In both men and women, the following factors can all contribute to osteopenia

Screen based on your age, sex and other risk factors is recommended every two years. AbsoluteCare provides the ultimate in convenience. Our radiology department provides screens on-site and in conjunction with your doctor’s visit.

In the unfortunate event that your BMD is low, treatment is available. Changes in diet and exercise can be helpful in addition to calcium and vitamin D and osteoporosis medications, if needed.

If you would like to schedule a screening DEXA scan, discuss prevention, or treatment options please contact our office to schedule an appointment.