Osteopenia is a bone disease in which the bone mineral density is reduced. Osteopenia is commonly considered to be the early stage of osteoporosis. Indeed, untreated osteopenia can cause this disease to develop, so appropriate treatment should be instituted as soon as possible. What are the causes and symptoms of osteopenia? What is its treatment?

Osteopeniameans a decrease in bone mineral density while maintaining the ability to properly mineralize, i.e. the deposition of calcium phosphate in the bones. According to experts working at the World He alth Organization (WHO), bone mass is reduced by 1-2.5 in relation to the norm in osteopenia. Some people believe that osteopenia is an early stage of osteoporosis, but not every osteopenic patient develops the disease.

Osteopenia - causes and risk factors

Osteopenia, like osteoporosis, often occurs in postmenopausal women. Then the direct cause of bone mass reduction ishypoestrogenism , i.e. estrogen deficiency. These hormones, in normal concentrations, have a positive effect on bone metabolism. However, during the menopause, the ovaries produce less and less estrogen, which is less and less protective for your bones. Therefore, the processes of osteolysis (bone destruction) prevail over osteogenesis (bone formation).

It was also noticed that osteopenia often occurs in women professionally practicing sports. Osteopenia - apart from menstrual disorders and eating disorders - is a symptom of the so-calledsyndrome (syndrome) of an athlete . A restrictive diet in combination with exercise leads to a decrease in body weight in athletes, and further to a decrease in estrogen levels, and hence - to amenorrhea, as well as a decrease in bone mineral density. Therefore, very thin people are also at risk.

Osteopenia can also be the result of an inappropriate lifestyle: poorly balanced diet, lack of exercise, excessive alcohol consumption, and smoking. Also, long-term use of certain drugs (including glucocorticosteroids, protease inhibitors used in the treatment of HIV infection) and exposure to ionizing radiation maycontribute to the reduction of bone mineral density.

In addition, osteopenia may appear in the course of celiac disease (celiac disease).

Osteopenia - symptoms

Osteopenia may be asymptomatic for many years. Often its first sign is a bone fracture during an apparently harmless fall (the most common are fractures of the spine, wrists and hips). Occasionally, symptoms such as bone pain may appear before the fracture.

Osteopenia - diagnosis

If osteopenia is suspected, a bone mineral density test is performed ( bone densitometry ). It is measured by dual photon X-ray absorption (DXA). According to the World He alth Organization (WHO), if the result of T-score densitometry (bone density measured, for example, from the spine or the neck of the femur) drops below -1, we can speak of osteopenia, and if below -2.5 - osteoporosis.

  • norm: T-score above -1
  • osteopenia: T-score between -1 to -2.5
  • osteoporosis: T-score below -2.5

Osteopenia - treatment

If the densitometry index is not significantly lowered, it is enough to take care of a proper diet, rich mainly in calcium and vitamin D. These ingredients can be found primarily in dairy products. Also magnesium (e.g. pumpkin seeds, wheat bran, nuts) has a positive effect on bone mineral density, because it is involved in the process of calcium absorption. The menu should also include vitamin K (e.g. spinach, egg yolks), which - taken together with vitamin D - prevents not only the development of osteopenia, but also osteoporosis, because the first vitamin enhances the action of the second. You should also avoid smoking and consume coffee (increases calcium loss, which weakens bones) and alcohol (impairs the conversion of vitamin D, which leads to a reduction in calcium absorption) in moderate amounts.

Proper exercise is also helpful - preferably jogging and walking.

If you have been diagnosed with a severe form of osteopenia, you can use pharmacotherapy. Commonly used medications include bisphosphonates, including alendronate, risedronate, and ibandronate, as well as selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs).

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Spine, bones, joints