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.
