Medical Author: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor
Medically Reviewed on 8/19/2021
Doctor's Notes on Osteopenia
Osteopenia is an early sign of bone density loss that is less severe than osteoporosis. While people osteopenia are at a somewhat greater risk for bone fracture, osteoporosis carries a much greater risk of bone fractures. Risk factors for osteopenia include:
- family history of osteoporosis,
- previous low-impact bone fracture,
- smoking,
- rheumatoid arthritis,
- Asian descent,
- being thin,
- corticosteroid use,
- low estrogen in women,
- low testosterone in men,
- malabsorption conditions (such as celiac disease), and
- regular alcohol intake.
Osteopenia is preventable with adequate calcium and vitamin D intake, exercise, avoiding alcohol, not smoking, and minimizing the use of corticosteroids.
Osteopenia usually causes no symptoms and it is often not detected without a bone density test. When osteopenia does cause symptoms, they may include localized bone pain and weakness in an area of a previous bone fracture.
What Is the Treatment for Osteopenia?
Management of osteopenia includes:
- Adequate intake of calcium and vitamin D
- Calcium and vitamin D supplements, if your diet is insufficient in these nutrients
- Exercise to help maintain bone density
- Smoking cessation to slow bone loss.
For some people with osteopenia, treatment with prescription medications may be appropriate. These are the same medications used to prevent and treat osteoporosis:
- Bisphosphonate drugs slow the body’s natural breakdown of bone
- Other medications may help the body make new bone cells
Osteoporosis : What is Osteoporosis? Quiz
QuestionWhat is another medical term for osteoporosis?
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Broken Bone (Bone Fracture)
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CT Scan (CAT Scan, Computerized Axial Tomography)
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Exercise
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Fall Prevention and Osteoporosis
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Hormone Replacement and Osteoporosis
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Menopause
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Osteoporosis
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Osteoporosis FAQ
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Osteoporosis in Men
Osteoporosis (or porous bone) is a disease in which bones become weak and are more likely to break. Without prevention or treatment, osteoporosis can progress without pain or symptoms until a bone breaks. More than 2 million American men have osteoporosis and 12 million are at risk. Risk factors include: smoking, low calcium and vitamin D intake, small body frame, and low testosterone levels. Medications can treat bone loss, and exercise can prevent osteoporosis. -
Osteoporosis Medications
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Prevention of Osteoporosis
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Treatment of Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a disease condition of porous bones -- the porosity of which causes them to become weak and easily broken. Pain or symptoms may be absent until a bone is broken.
REFERENCE:
Kasper, D.L., et al., eds. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 19th Ed. United States: McGraw-Hill Education, 2015.