Osteopenia is a disorder where your bone density is below the normal spectrum but is not severe enough to be diagnosed as osteoporosis. Bone density is a way of measuring how strong our bones are. Less dense bones are more susceptible to breaking. Bones naturally become thinner as we age, so you are more likely to develop osteopenia if you are an older adult. Other things that make it more likely for you to develop osteopenia is a diet low in calcium, being a smoker, and being a woman. It is possible for certain medications and diseases to make you more susceptible as well.
This disorder is considered to be a precursor to osteoporosis, but it is not a certainty that you will develop it if diagnosed with osteopenia. If you’re worried you might have osteopenia, it is important to make an appointment with your doctor for proper diagnosis. The most common way to diagnose this disorder is with a bone density test. The most common method of diagnosing the disorder is via a DXA, which is an acronym for dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. This procedure is painless and should be able to be administered by your doctor or a recommended specialist.
1. No Symptoms
The most common signs and symptoms for osteopenia is, unfortunately, no signs or symptoms. This makes catching the disorder in its early stages difficult. In the early stages of the disorder when your bone density is just beginning to thin, it is unlikely that you will notice anything out of the ordinary. Because of this, doctors recommend that people, especially women, over the age of 65 should get routine bone density scans in order to catch the disorder in the earliest stages.
Treatment may include adding calcium rich food to your diet, certain medications to help absorption of calcium, medication to protect the current bone density from thinning further, and exercise. You’re doctor will be able to prescribe a treatment plan that works for your individual needs, and you should set up and appointment if you’re worried about bone density disorders like osteopenia.
2. Osteoporosis
This is a possible outcome of osteopenia. It is a more advanced stage of bone density loss. When the disorder progresses to this point the likelihood of breaking bones raises because the bone will be much more porous than it should be. In fact the word osteoporosis means porous bone.
Fortunately, bone density loss doesn’t have to progress to this stage if the disorder is caught in the early enough. Getting routine bone density scans after the age of 65 and eating a diet rich in calcium can help keep the chance of bone density loss and bone fractures to a minimum.
3. Back Pain
Back pain can be felt with this disorder. It is not directly caused by the disorder but by fractures in the bone because of less than optimal bone density. The spin supports a lot in our bodies, and when bone density is less than normal, it isn’t difficult to get fractures in the vertebrae. Bone fractures a similar to a break, but they are not as extensive. They can be small, hairline cracks in the bones. If you are experiencing back pain, you should set up an appointment with your doctor. They will be able to help you figure out the underlying cause of the pain.
4. Loss of Height
Loss of height might not be the most obvious of the signs and symptoms, but it is frequently seen in people that lose bone density. This symptom is generally caused by a fracture in the spine. You can have a spinal fracture and experience loss of height but not experience back pain. Around 66% of fractures in the back are painless. If the loss of height is noticeable, then it may cause alarm. Many people lose some height as they age, so if your worried your loss of height may come from an underlying health issue, it’s important to set up an appointment with your doctor.
5. Stooped Posture
Stooped posture is a type of spinal deformity where a person’s spine curves forward, making them appear hunched over. It is sometimes referred to as being hunchback. This happens because the bone density in the vertebrae becomes too low to support the full weight of the spine. The vertebrae begin collapsing on themselves. This collapsing of the vertebrae can continue until the person affected in nearly completely stooped over and staring at the ground. If you are beginning to have stooped posture, you should consider contacting your doctor. They will be able to guide you through diagnosing what is causing the stooped posture.
6. Easily Fractured Bones
Easily fractured bones is the most frequent way people find out they have osteopenia. As the bones lose density they will become more porous and more fragile. This makes the likelihood of fracturing or outright breaking a bone much higher than someone with normal bone density. If you’ve recently suffered from a fracture or a break from something as simple as a fall, then you should consider speaking with you doctor about the possibility of osteopenia. They will be able to diagnose any underlying health issues you may be experience and help set you up with a viable treatment plan.
