Osteopenia and Osteoporosis

Osteopenia and Osteoporosis

10TH UCG EDITION ON DIABETES & ENDOCRINOLOGY CONFERENCE.???TRACK 12 Osteopenia and osteoporosi

Osteopenia vs. Osteoporosis

The conditions osteoporosis and osteopenia both affect the strength and health of your bones. The distinction between the two is based on the degree of bone damage.

Continue reading to learn more about the differences between these two conditions, how doctors determine bone damage levels, and what you can do to protect your bone health.

What are the key differences between?osteopenia and osteoporosis?

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Osteopenia and osteoporosis are terms used to describe bones that have weakened over time. Bone mineral density (BMD) scores can be used to assess bone strength. BMD assesses the level of minerals in your bones, such as calcium, and a lower score indicates an increased risk of fractures or breaks. Osteopenia can be considered the first step toward osteoporosis. Technically, it’s just a way of saying that your bone density is lower than normal, but not yet causing real problems.

Around the age of 35, bone density peaks, and as it declines, you may be diagnosed with osteopenia. This usually starts with no symptoms, but if you start breaking or fracturing bones frequently, your doctor may decide to measure your bone density.

You have osteopenia if your bone density score is lower than normal, between -1 and -2.5. If your score is less than -2.5, you might have osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis is the more severe stage of osteopenia. The honeycomb-like structure within your bones becomes even more porous as bone density decreases. The greater the open spaces within your bones, the less density and strength they have. Even when doing simple daily activities, the light, fragile bones that develop with osteoporosis can put you at risk for fractures and breaks.

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Who’s at risk for osteopenia and osteoporosis?

Over time, everyone's bones lose mass and density. After the age of 35, bone strength begins to decline, but certain risk factors can hasten this process.

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People in the following categories are more likely to develop osteopenia and, eventually, osteoporosis:

·????????women

·????????over the age of 35

·????????having a smaller, thinner frame

·????????having Caucasian or Asian ancestry Trusted Source

·????????a history of poor nutrition lacking in certain minerals

·????????a sedentary lifestyle

·????????smoking

·????????alcohol consumption

·????????menopause

·????????hormonal changes

·????????thyroid disease

·????????certain medications like steroids

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10TH UCG EDITION ON DIABETES & ENDOCRINOLOGY EVENT?DECEMBER 21-22, 2022 | DUBAI, UAE

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How is?osteopenia?and osteoporosis?diagnosed?

Because osteopenia typically develops without symptoms, you may be unaware that your bones are weakening until you experience serious problems or the condition progresses to osteoporosis. Your risk of osteopenia and osteoporosis may be assessed by your primary care physician. If you have a high risk of osteopenia or osteoporosis, your doctor may advise you to have bone density testing.

Bone density tests?are usually done with?dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA/DEXA) scans?of the hip and lower spine.

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This testing is also recommended for:

·????????women over age 65

·????????women under age 65 who have evidence of lower bone mass

·????????men over age 70

·????????men over age 50 with certain risk factors for bone loss

BMD measurements and your FRAX (Fracture Risk Assessment Tool) score are typically used in conjunction to assess your overall bone health and guide treatment.

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How to treat and prevent osteopenia and osteoporosis

Preventing further bone loss and the progression of your condition to osteoporosis is the best treatment for osteopenia. While you can't change your age or your genetics, there are some things you can do to slow bone loss.

Some?strategies?to reduce your risks of bone density loss include:

·????????stop smoking

·????????reduce your alcohol consumption

·????????eat a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals

·????????consider vitamin and mineral supplements

·????????stay active, especially with weight-bearing exercises

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If these strategies aren't working, or if your condition has progressed to osteoporosis, your doctor may prescribe medications or treatments to help prevent further bone loss. These could include:

·????????bisphosphonates like?alendronate?(Fosamax) or ibandronate (Boniva)

·????????antibody therapies like denosumab (Prolia) and romosozumab (Evenity)

·????????hormone medications like procalcitonin

·????????hormone replacement therapy

·????????vitamin C supplements

·????????calcium supplements

·????????physical therapy

Takeaway?

Bone loss is a natural part of ageing, but certain factors, such as gender and diet, can hasten the process.

You may be diagnosed with osteopenia if your bone density is lower than normal. While this is not osteoporosis, it is a serious condition.

You have time to make changes that will protect your bone health if you have osteopenia. If your condition has progressed to osteoporosis, consult your doctor about what you can do to maintain your bone strength and prevent further loss.

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10TH UCG EDITION ON DIABETES & ENDOCRINOLOGY EXPO?DECEMBER 21-22, 2022 | DUBAI, UAE

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A Cure for Osteoporosis?

Researchers at The Scripps Research Institute in Florida say a new compound spurred bone growth in human stem cells in the lab. Will it work in patients?

The prospect of a new treatment comes from experiments involving mice and human tissue in laboratory settings. The researchers now hope to try out the treatment in larger animals in tests involving bone density, aging, obesity, and diabetes.

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Osteomalacia treatments

If osteomalacia is detected early, your doctor may advise you to take vitamin D, calcium, or phosphate supplements. Vitamin D is sometimes administered intravenously, or through a vein injection.

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If you have an underlying medical condition that interferes with vitamin D absorption, you must also treat that condition.

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Children with osteomalacia may require braces or surgery to correct any bone abnormalities.

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10TH UCG EDITION ON DIABETES & ENDOCRINOLOGY SEMINAR?DECEMBER 21-22, 2022 | DUBAI, UAE

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Osteoporosis treatments

Treatment?for osteoporosis focuses on slowing or stopping bone loss and preventing fractures.

It may?consist of:

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• Nutritional changes.?Eating a variety of fruits and vegetables, adjusting your calorie intake, and ensuring you get enough calcium, vitamin D, and protein are all beneficial dietary tips.
• Lifestyle changes.?Making changes such as quitting smoking if you smoke, reducing alcohol consumption, and having regular checkups with a medical professional are all important in managing your condition and its symptoms.
• Incorporating exercise into your routine.?You should concentrate on strength or resistance training, as well as any exercises recommended by a physical therapist or rehabilitation specialist.
• Speaking with an occupational therapist.?They can assist you in implementing fall prevention strategies.
• Taking medication.?Medications are also used to strengthen bones and keep them from deteriorating further. Among the medications are:
• bisphosphonates

·????????calcitonin

·????????estrogen agonist/antagonist

·????????estrogen and hormone therapy

·????????parathyroid hormone analog and parathyroid hormone-related protein analog

·????????RANK ligand (RANKL) inhibitor

·???????Sclerostin inhibitor

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