Osteopenia: Osteopenia is bone weakening and different from osteoporosis in that the loss of bone density in osteoporosis is more severe. Learn about osteopenia signs, symptoms, causes, and treatment.
Must Read Articles:
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Bone Fracture (Broken Bone)
Fractures occur when bone cannot withstand the outside forces applied to the bone. Fractures can be open or closed. Types of fractures include: greenstick, spiral, comminuted, transverse, compound, or vertebral compression. Common fractures include: stress fracture, compression fracture, rib fracture, and skull fracture. Treatment depends upon the type of fracture. -
CT Scan
What is a CT scan? Computerized tomography scans (CT scans) are important diagnostic tools for a variety of medical conditions. Some areas of the body frequently evaluated by CT scans include the brain, neck, spine, chest, abdomen, pelvis, and sinuses. The CT scan process uses X-rays and a computer to produce cross-sectional images of the body. -
Exercise
Exercise has been shown to reduce one's risk of heart disease, diabetes, colon and breast cancer, lower blood pressure and cholesterol, and reduce depression and anxiety. The Surgeon General recommends accumulating 30 minutes of exercise on a daily basis. -
Fall Prevention and Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis (or porous bone) is a disease in which bones become less dense, resulting in weak bones that are more likely to break. Without prevention or treatment, osteoporosis can progress until a bone breaks. -
Hormone Replacement and Osteoporosis
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) is often used in treating the bone loss disease osteoporosis. The treatment, designed for postmenopausal women, helps stop bone loss and helps some patients to even regain some bone. -
Menopause
Menopause is a transition between two phases of a woman's life. Menopause is not a disease or an illness. Menopause occurs when a woman permanently stops menstruating (having periods). Common symptoms of menopause include hot flashes, urinary incontinence, vaginal changes, breast changes, thinning of the skin, bone loss, rise in LDL cholesterol levels, increased risk for heart disease, and weight gain. There is no "cure" for menopause. There are medication treatments and lifestyle changes that can ease the symptoms of menopause. -
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis, a disease that causes bones to lose calcium and mass making them fragile, affects mostly post-menopausal women. Medications are available to slow or help prevent this process, including estrogen replacement therapy. It is possible to slow or even reverse osteoporosis, but often it becomes disabling. -
Osteoporosis and Calcium
Calcium is an important nutrient and is needed for many of the body's functions, including blood clotting and the proper function of the heart, muscles, and nerves. About 50%-60% of adults and only 10%-25% of adolescents in the U.S. get the recommended amount of calcium. -
Osteoporosis FAQs
Osteoporosis (or porous bone) is a disease in which bone loss occurs, so bones become weak and are more likely to break. This FAQ includes information about treatment, prevention, medications, symptoms, and causes. -
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. -
Understanding Osteoporosis Medications
Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by low bone mass and loss of bone tissue that leads to weak and fragile bones. Medications to slow osteoporosis work by a variety of mechanisms, from replacing hormones, to increasing bone formation, to direct estrogen therapy. -
Prevention of Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis (or porous bone) is a disease in which bones become weak and are more likely to break (or fracture). Osteoporosis is preventable for most people. Prevention involves a diet high in calcium, weight-bearing exercise, lifestyle changes, possibly medication, and early screening for osteoporosis. -
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.
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Expert Views and News
- Soy Protein May Protect Against Osteoporosis
- Weight-Loss Surgery and Women's Osteoporosis Risk
- FDA Panel: Long-Used Osteoporosis Drug Too Risky
- Osteoporosis Medication Linked to Unusual Thigh Fractures
- FDA Panel Unclear on Osteoporosis Drug Labels
- Osteoporosis Drug Reclast Ups Kidney Failure Risk
- Osteoporosis Drugs With Fractures
- Low Risk of Jaw Problems With Oral Osteoporosis Drugs
- Osteoporosis Drugs Linked to Lower Cancer Risk
- Osteoporosis Screening Recommendations
Osteopenia Topic Guide - Visuals
Slideshows, Pictures, Images, and Quizzes:
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Osteopenia Topic Guide - Medications and Vitamins
Medications:
Alendronate And CholecalciferolAlendronate is a bisphosphonate (bis FOS fo nayt) medicine that alters bone formation and breakdown in the body. This can slow bone loss and may help prevent...learn more »
IbandronateIbandronate is a bisphosphonate (bis FOS fo nayt) medicine that alters bone formation and breakdown in the body. This can slow bone loss and may help prevent...learn more »
RisedronateRisedronate is used to treat osteoporosis caused by menopause, or steroid use. This medicine is for use when you have a high risk of bone fracture due to os...learn more »
AlendronateAlendronate is used to treat osteoporosis caused by menopause, steroid use, or gonadal failure. This medicine is for use when you have a high risk of bone f...learn more »
Calcium And Vitamin D CombinationCalcium is a mineral that is necessary for many functions of the body, especially bone formation and maintenance. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium./...learn more »
Cholecalciferol (vitamin D3)Cholecalciferol is vitamin D3. Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium...learn more »
Calcitriol (oral)Calcitriol is a form of vitamin D3. Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium from the stomach...learn more »
Osteopenia Topic Guide – Related Topics
Related Topics:
What Are the First Signs of Osteoporosis
Some of the first signs of osteoporosis may include the appearance of a widow's hump, a fractured wrist or hip from a fall, loss of height, change in posture, s...learn more »
Cigarette Smoking
Cigarette smoking remains the leading cause of death and illness among Americans. Effects of smoking can cause cancers, emphysema, bronchitis, COPD, chronic cou...learn more »