Define Osteopenia

Osteopenia is caused by bone thinning. When bone mineral density is lower than normal, but not low enough to be considered osteoporosis, osteopenia is diagnosed. There are no symptoms for the condition.

Significance

• A diagnosis of osteopenia means a person is at greater risk of developing osteoporosis, which is a condition that causes bones to become very brittle and break easily.

Risk Factors

• Factors that increase the risk of developing osteopenia include eating disorders or problems with the absorption of vitamins and minerals by the body, being female, chemotherapy and steroids, and radiation exposure.

Additional Risk Factors

• A family history of the condition, being thin, white or Asian, inactivity, smoking, drinking soft drinks regularly, and consuming too much alcohol also put a person at higher risk for developing osteopenia.

Identification

• Osteopenia is diagnosed when a person has a bone density level between -1.0 and -2.5 percent deviation from a healthy control group.

Treatment

• Treatment options for osteopenia are geared toward stopping progression and include medication, getting more calcium and vitamin D through diet and supplementation, regular exercise, and stopping unhealthy lifestyle behaviors.