Are you getting fractures in your bones? And worried about the mineral density of your bones. We can understand your concern because it mostly happens due to osteopenia or osteoporosis.

And the thought that must be fretting you more is it is just osteopenia or have I got osteoporosis? Because when your bone density is reduced, then you are more at risk of getting osteoporosis.

So, have a sigh of relief and delve straight into this article. We will discuss the difference between osteopenia and osteoporosis. And you will also get to know about the risk factors, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of osteopenia.

So, let's delve straight into the article without any further delay.

What is Osteopenia?

Osteopenia is a state between having normal, healthy bones that are functioning properly and osteoporosis. It usually occurs after 50. But here, it is important to note that there is no specific age of osteopenia.

The occurrence of osteopenia relies on the density of your bones at a young age. So, if your bones are weak when you are young, then your chances of getting osteopenia will enhance. Plus, if you are a female, then you are more at risk of getting osteopenia.

Does the Risk of Osteoprosis Increase When You Have Osteopenia?

Yes, it's true that your chances of getting osteoporosis increase when you have osteopenia. Actually, it is a more severe condition of osteopenia, and if someone has osteoporosis, then their bones become so weak that they begin to break without any accident. So, if you are suffering from osteopenia, you should be more attentive toward your diet and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

How To Know That You Are At Risk of Getting Osteopenia

Some factors can enhance the chances of getting osteopenia. So, if you notice any of them, then you might be at more risk of getting osteopenia. Most importantly, if you are a woman, then you need to be highly careful because you are at way higher risk.,

Actually, women have less bone mass in comparison to men. And they also have a longer life duration, and it also leads to osteopenia as the bones of females age more. Moreover, women's chances of getting osteopenia increase even more after menopause. And the men who have less amount of testosterone are at more risk of suffering from osteopenia.

Does Your Lifestyle Play Any Role In Osteopenia?

Well, the short answer to this question is yes. Your lifestyle has a major impact on the onset of osteopenia. So, if your diet is not good and balanced, then you are at more risk of getting osteopenia. So, you must need to tailor a osteopenia diet that will reduce your chances of getting it.

Moreover, if you have a sedentary lifestyle and you're not exercising at all, then your probability of getting osteopenia increases.

Another big issue in your lifestyle that can enhance the probability of getting osteopenia is smoking or drinking. Plus, if your diet is lacking calcium and vitamin D, then its deficiency can lead to osteopenia. Therefore, it is imperative to adopt healthy lifestyle habits, not consume alcohol, and just stick to a healthy diet. Certain medicines can also elevate the possibility of suffering from osteopenia, such as anticonvulsants and corticosteroids.

How To Diagnose That You Are Suffering From Osteopenia

In order to go for treatment, it's vital to diagnose first. Once you are sure that you are suffering from osteopenia, it's better to go for treatment as soon as possible. Another thing worth mentioning is that the symptoms of osteopenia are not much noticeable. Therefore, it's hard to diagnose it.

Here, we are going to share some factors. And if you have any of them, then you should take a mineral density test. The good thing about this test is that it is painless. Its main purpose is to just find out the density of your bones. And it is named as dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). The measurements of this test assist in knowing the level of your disease. So, if your score lies between -1 to -2.5, it depicts that you have osteopenia.

• Women who are 50 or older and going through menopause
• Women who are older than 65 with risk factors such as menopause or postmenopause
• Men age more than 65, and there is a presence of other risk factors as well
• Bone fracture without any injury

Prevention of Osteopenia

When you cross 40, you need to be highly conscious and try your best to prevent the occurrence of osteopenia. And trust me, it is pretty much easy. You just need to make a few changes in your daily lifestyle and it will assist in preventing osteopenia.

First things first, you need to ensure that you are taking a proper osteopenia diet. Your diet should have foods that are rich in calcium. Some of the good sources of vitamin C that you can include in your diet are broccoli, spinach, salmon, dried beans, and dairy products.

Apart from that, you also need to ensure that your overall lifestyle is healthy. Stay away from the smoking and alcoholic drinks. Another thing you need to ensure is always be active and make sure that you are doing some osteopenia exercises.

And if your diet is not fulfilling your calcium needs, it's better to go for supplements after consulting your doctor.

Another thing that you need to keep in consideration is that your osteopenia can lead to osteoporosis. So, if you don’t go for treatment as early as possible, then you are at higher risk of getting osteoporosis. You also need to enhance your knowledge about osteopenia vs osteoporosis.

How To Treat Osteopenia?

Once you know that your T-score is less than -2, then it's essential to kick start your osteopenia exercises regularly. Most importantly, you must ensure you are doing weight-bearing exercises. Even if you are sparing 30 minutes daily, it would be enough. Apart from that, it is also imperative to start eating food that has calcium and vitamin D. It will assist in making your condition better.

Furthermore, if you get to know that your T-score is near -2.5, then your doctor will prescribe you some medicines. It is also pertinent to mention here that medicines don't give long-term relief from the disorder.

Final Thoughts

To sum up the article about osteopenia, it is worth mentioning that you should take good care of your health. And if you are noticing anything unusual, then consult your doctor. Bones are one of the most essential organs of your body. If there are any issues with them, then it will affect your overall health.

So, if you are over 50 and getting fractures, then don't take it lightly. It is surely pointing towards something serious.