Treatment FAQ

what is treatment for osteopenia

by Mr. Tito Schmeler DDS Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Medications that can treat osteopenia or prevent osteoporosis include: Bisphosphonates. These meds slow your body's natural process for breaking down bone. You may keep the level of bone you have or even get a small boost of bone density.Nov 23, 2020

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Jul 15, 2020 · Eat a balanced diet with plenty of vitamin D Limit alcohol intake Exercise regularly with weight-bearing exercises (lifting weights, hiking, jogging, climbing stairs)

Is there a natural way to treat osteopenia?

Sep 14, 2021 · Osteopenia exercises Hip abductors. Hip abductors strengthen your hips and improve balance. Do this 2 to 3 times a week. Stand tall with your... Toe and heel raises. Toe raises and heel raises strengthen lower legs and improve balance. Do them each day. Wear shoes... Prone leg lifts. Prone leg lifts ...

What kind of diet is good for osteopenia?

Feb 12, 2022 · Treatment and Follow-up Considerations Treatment duration varies depending on the class of medication utilized. Agents such as teriparatide and hormonal-based therapy require immediate follow-up treatment with another agent upon stopping the medication; otherwise, bone mass is rapidly lost.

Can you cure osteopenia?

Oct 18, 2021 · The main difference between osteopenia and osteoporosis boils down to treatment. Healthcare providers recommend prescription medications — in addition to lifestyle changes — for most people diagnosed with osteoporosis. These …

What type of doctor should I See for osteopenia?

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What is the best thing to do for osteopenia?

For people who have osteopenia, there are ways to manage this condition and lessen the symptoms.Increase calcium and vitamin D intake.Do not smoke.Limit alcohol intake.Limit caffeine intake.Take measures to prevent falling (with low bone density, falls can result in fractured or broken bones fairly easily)

When does osteopenia require treatment?

Drug treatment should then be considered in patients having osteoporosis and in patients with osteopenia when FRAX indicates a 10-year fracture probability of at least 3% for hip or at least 20% for major fractures [9].Jun 28, 2011

Is osteopenia curable or treatable?

Osteopenia is an early sign of bone weakness that is less severe than osteoporosis. Osteopenia is treatable with exercise, lifestyle changes, dietary supplements, and medications. It is possible to prevent osteopenia.

What is the most common cause of osteopenia?

Causes and risk factors of osteopenia Aging is the most common risk factor for osteopenia. After your bone mass peaks, your body breaks down old bone faster than it builds new bone. That means you lose some bone density. Women lose bone more quickly after menopause, due to lower estrogen levels.

How often should you have a bone density scan if you have osteopenia?

If initial bone density testing shows you have a T-score of -2.00 to -2.49 at any site, or if you take medications that decrease bone density, or have medical conditions that can adversely affect the bones, experts recommend repeat bone density testing every two years.Oct 5, 2021

What is the best and safest treatment for osteopenia?

The main ones are calcium and vitamin D supplements. Most adults should get between 1,000 and 1,200 milligrams of calcium and 600 to 800 international units (IU) of vitamin D every day.Nov 23, 2020

Do bones hurt with osteopenia?

Osteopenia does not cause pain unless a bone is broken (fractured). Interestingly, fractures in patients with osteopenia do not always cause pain. Osteopenia or osteoporosis can be present for many years prior to diagnosis for these reasons.

How long does it take to go from osteopenia to osteoporosis?

Of patients with osteopenia, 23.7% progressed to osteoporosis; median progression time was >8.5 years. Progression time was >8.2 years in “low-risk" tertile (T score between −1.1 and −1.6 SD), >8.5 years in “middle-risk" (between −1.6 and −2), and 3.2 years in “high-risk" (from −2 to −2.4) (p<0.0001).Oct 8, 2012

What is the best calcium to take for osteopenia?

Calcium carbonateThe two main forms of calcium supplements are carbonate and citrate. Calcium carbonate is cheapest and therefore often a good first choice. Other forms of calcium in supplements include gluconate and lactate.

How do you get osteopenia?

This condition happens when your body gets rid of more bone than it is creating. Some people are genetically prone to it, with a family history of the condition. You're also more likely to get it if you're a woman. Women have lower bone mass than men.Jul 30, 2021

What diseases are associated with osteopenia?

Osteopenia can be related to a genetic predisposition to early bone loss. It can also occur due to hormonal factors, such as decreased estrogen levels after menopause, immobility, certain medications, smoking, excess alcohol consumption, and certain medical conditions including rheumatoid arthritis and celiac disease.

Does osteopenia cause inflammation?

Associations between atherosclerosis and osteopenia have been well documented [46,47]. These findings suggest a potential causal relationship between systemic inflammation that is observed in the elderly and the prevalence of generalized age-related osteoporosis [2].

What is bisphosphonate used for?

In higher doses (10–12 fold the doses used in osteoporosis) these drugs are used for the treatment of advanced metastatic cancer with bone involvement (e.g. multiple myeloma, breast and prostate cancer) and hypercalcemia of malignancy. . All oral bisphosphonates are poorly absorbed, with bioavailability of less than 1%.

What is the T score for a fracture?

However, most patients presenting with a fracture do not have BMD based osteoporosis, defined according to the World Health Organization (WHO) definition as a T score of −2.5 or below. The most poignant example is hip fracture, where only half the patients exhibit t-scores below −2.5 [10].

Does vitamin D deficiency cause osteomalacia?

Vitamin D deficiency does not only cause weaker bones due to osteomalacia , but also severe myopathy with loss of muscle strength, selective loss of the rapid type-2 fibres, dyscoordination and consequently increased propensity for falls [41].

What does osteopenia mean?

Osteopenia means low bone density, but what exactly does this mean? It's easiest to understand osteopenia when we compare it to both normal bone density and osteoporosis (very low bone density).

What is the bone density test for osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a condition in which bones have become brittle and are more likely to break, even with mild injuries. A bone density test with osteoporosis gives a T-score of -2.5 or worse.

How does bisphosphonate work?

Bisphosphonates are medications which work by slowing the rate of bone loss, thereby improving bone density. Most of these reduce the risk of spine fractures, but not all have been shown to reduce the risk of hip fractures. 6  Some of these medications are taken orally while others are given by injection. Actonel, specifically, has been approved for the prevention of osteoporosis. Zometa has now been approved to use along with an aromatase inhibitor for the treatment of postmenopausal breast cancer. 7 

Does tamoxifen help with breast cancer?

Tamoxifen may also be used to reduce the risk of developing breast cancer. 10 . Like estrogen (as in hormone replacement therapy) their action on bone increases bone mineral density and reduces the risk of vertebral (spinal) fractures.

What is the T score for osteoporosis?

A bone density test with osteoporosis gives a T-score of -2.5 or worse. Having a bone density that is 2.5 deviations below the average means that your bone density is in the bottom 2% of someone your age. 1 . Osteopenia lies between these numbers, with a T-score of better than -2.5 but worse than -1.0.

Is calcitonin a man made hormone?

Calcitonin is a man-made version of a hormone in our bodies that regulates bone metabolism and helps change the rate at which the body reabsorbs bone. It is available both as a nasal spray and by injection and can reduce the risk of spine fractures. Miacalcin nasal spray, in particular, may be an option for postmenopausal women who can't tolerate the side effects of other medications. 18 

What is Forteo used for?

Forteo (teriparatide) is a man-made version of the body's natural parathyroid hormone and is usually used only for people with severe osteoporosis who are at a high risk of fractures. It is the only medication which can actually stimulate the body to grow new bone.

How to increase bone density naturally?

7 ways to naturally increase bone density – osteopenia treatments from home. #1 Engage in regular weight-bearing exercise. Bone and muscle are a team, and they’re a use-or-lose proposition.

Is alkaline diet good for osteoporosis?

There’s recent research that shows just how important an alkaline diet is for those at risk for osteoporosis. #7 Stress less. Amazingly, stress is highly correlated with fracture risk and bone loss (and that’s above and beyond all the other health issues it causes).

Is vitamin K good for bone health?

There’s a great deal of new research that shows vitamin K is vital for bone health, and for cardiovascular health as well. Some recent studies have even shown that one form of vitamin K, MK-7, is more effective at building bone than using bone drugs. #5 And get to know all of the 20 key bone building nutrients.

How to prevent osteopenia?

If you already smoke or drink a lot of alcohol or caffeine, stop — especially if you’re younger than age 35, when you can still build bone.

What is the BMD of osteopenia?

Your bone density peaks when you’re about 35 years old. Bone mineral density (BMD) is the measurement of how much bone mineral is in your bones. Your BMD estimates the chances of breaking a bone from a normal activity.

Why do women lose bone mass after menopause?

After your bone mass peaks, your body breaks down old bone faster than it builds new bone. That means you lose some bone density. Women lose bone more quickly after menopause, due to lower estrogen levels.

Why do women lose bone?

Women lose bone more quickly after menopause, due to lower estrogen levels. If you lose too much, your bone mass may drop low enough to be considered osteopenia. About half of Americans older than age 50 get osteopenia. The more of these risk factors you have, the higher your risk is:

What is the most common way to measure BMD?

Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, called DEXA or DXA, is the most common way to measure BMD. It’s also known as a bone mineral density test. It uses X-rays that have lower radiation than a typical X-ray. The test is painless.

What is the FRAX tool?

The FRAX tool uses your bone density and other risk factors to estimate your risk of breaking your hip, spine, forearm, or shoulder within the next 10 years. Your doctor may also use your FRAX score to help make decisions about treatment for osteopenia.

How to stretch your thighs?

Do this exercise two to three times a week. Lie on your stomach on a mat on the floor or on a firm bed. Put a pillow under your abdomen so when you lift your leg you’re just coming up to a neutral position.

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Treatment

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If you've been diagnosed with osteopenia (low bone density) your doctor may have recommended treatment. What medication options are available if you don't yet have \"full blown\" osteoporosis, and when is it advantageous to consider treatment? There are many factors to consider before treating osteopenia, and th…
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Diagnosis

  • Osteopenia means low bone density, but what exactly does this mean? It's easiest to understand osteopenia when we compare it to both normal bone density and osteoporosis (very low bone density).
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Overview

  • Osteoporosis is a condition in which bones have become brittle and are more likely to break, even with mild injuries. A bone density test with osteoporosis gives a T-score of -2.5 or worse, meaning that a person's bone density is 2.5 standard deviations below the average bone density of a healthy young adult or worse.
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Results

  • Osteopenia lies between these numbers, with a T-score of better than -2.5 but worse than -0.1. The chance that osteopenia will progress to osteoporosis depends on your age, other medical conditions you have, medications you are taking, and much more.
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Side effects

  • Side effects of bisphosphonates vary based on whether they are used orally or by injection. With oral bisphosphonates, people are asked to take the medication with a full glass of water and remain upright for 30 to 60 minutes. These drugs may cause heartburn or esophageal irritation. Injectable medications may cause flu-like symptoms for a day or two after injection and may als…
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Adverse effects

  • An uncommon but severe side effect is osteonecrosis of the jaw. People who have gum disease or dental hygiene, have a dental device or require procedures such as a tooth extraction are at greatest risk. Other uncommon side effects include atrial fibrillation and atypical femur fractures.
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Mechanism of action

  • Like estrogen (as in hormone replacement therapy) their action on bone increases bone mineral density and reduces the risk of vertebral (spinal) fractures. Unlike HRT, however, Evista has anti-estrogen effects on breast cells and may reduce the risk of developing breast cancer. While SERMS do not increase bone density to the level that bisphosphonate do, they can reduce the ris…
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Risks

  • As with any medication, you must weigh the risks and benefits of any medication you use. For young women who have had surgical menopause and are suffering from life-limiting hot flashes, HRT may be a good option. Yet, even in this setting, the goal of treatment with HRT should not be a reduction in osteoporosis risk.
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Medical uses

  • Used most often by people with cancer, denosumab is a monoclonal antibody which prevents the formation of osteoclasts, cells which cause the breakdown of bone.
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Prevention

  • Whether or not you choose to use medications for osteopenia, there are things you can do to reduce your risk of fractures. From making sure your stairs are free of clutter to staying off of ladders, there are a number of simple ways you can reduce your chance of a fall. Getting adequate calcium and vitamin D is important as well. Many people get ample calcium in their diet, but vita…
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