Most people have heard of osteoporosis, but how many know about osteopenia? Osteopenia might be best described as the half-way point between having healthy, strong bones and having osteoporosis. If you have osteopenia, your bones are more fragile than they should be, but they aren’t so fragile that they break easily if you fall. Osteopenia can progress to the more serious osteoporosis, which is why it is important to follow your doctor’s instructions regarding treatment.
Lifestyle Changes
The first step in osteopenia treatment is making lifestyle changes. If you’re not already exercising and consuming enough calcium, making a few changes could help stop bone mass loss, or slow it down.
Exercise: Weight-bearing exercise, such as walking, dancing, even climbing steps, can help strengthen your muscles. If you like to go to the gym, a trainer can show you the best exercises to do using weights and machines. This, in turn, helps protect your bones. Weight bearing exercise also may improve bone density. Exercises for balance, such as yoga and tai chi, are also helpful as they help reduce the risk of falls.
Diet: Depending on your overall health, your doctor may suggest you increase your calcium and vitamin D intake. These are most commonly found in dairy products. If you are lactose intolerant, you may be able to find lactose-free dairy products, or you can get calcium through other foods, such as soy milk, almonds, kale, collard greens, sweet potatoes, and more. If you are in doubt as to what to eat, consider seeing a dietitian. A registered dietitian can help you design a good osteopenia diet that suits your tastes.
Supplements: You may need calcium and vitamin D supplements if your doctor feels you aren’t getting enough in your diet alone.
Osteopenia and Osteoporosis Medications
Medications called bisphosphonates may increase bone strength or slow down bone mass loss in osteoporosis and some are also approved for treating osteopenia. However, many doctors aren’t convinced that these drugs should be used to treat osteopenia. Unlike for osteoporosis, there are few studies that look at osteopenia and the long-term effects of the drugs. Osteoporosis drugs also can have serious side effects. The best approach is to talk with your doctor about the potential risks versus the benefits of osteoporosis medicine for you, before starting on a drug treatment plan.
Part of the reluctance to prescribe bisphosphonates for osteopenia could lie with how long these drugs may be safely taken. Currently, the recommendation is that 10 years is safe for taking bisphosphonates, however, if patients are diagnosed with osteopenia in their 50s or 60s, they may be limited as to how long they can take the drugs over their lifetime.
Following your treatment plan with weight-bearing exercise and a calcium-rich diet can help slow down your bone loss, reduce the risk of osteoporosis, and hopefully eliminate the need for medication.
