by Dr. MANISH A. PATEL

From childhood, we’ve heard the importance of drinking plenty of milk and maintaining a healthy diet throughout life, to help prevent bone loss. Yet, more than 40 million American men and women have osteoporosis or are at high risk for it, due to low bone mass. Long before that first fall or broken bone, the first signs of the disease can show up as osteopenia – a risk factor for developing osteoporosis.

Osteopenia, also called low bone density, does not always lead to osteoporosis, but it indicates that one’s chances of developing osteoporosis are higher than average. The National Osteoporosis Foundation reported that by 2020, 14 million cases of osteoporosis and more than 47 million cases of osteopenia will be diagnosed among men and women over age 50. Osteoporosis is thought to be a woman’s disease, but men are also at risk – particularly as they age. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, more than 2 million U.S. men have osteoporosis.

What causes osteopenia?

Many factors can contribute to osteopenia: heredity; insufficient development of peak bone mass during youth; certain medications; and abnormally accelerated bone loss due to illness or certain medications. Also, osteopenia is sometimes seen in young female athletes as a result of overtraining and excessive weight loss.

Primary risk factors, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians, include aging; Caucasian or Asian heritage; a family history of osteoporosis; inactive lifestyle; a diet low in calcium and vitamin D; certain medications, such as steroid medications for arthritis or asthma, antacids, proton pump inhibitors, or chemotherapy drugs; heavy use of alcohol or tobacco; eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa; certain diseases such as celiac disease or inflammatory bowel disease, which make the body’s absorption of calcium and vitamin D difficult; hyperthyroidism, or an overactive thyroid; and beginning menopause, or undergoing surgery to remove the ovaries, before age 45.

Bone is built during childhood and youth, and reaches its highest density – or peak bone mass – around age 30. From there, bone mass gradually declines, because the body is no longer producing new bone matter at a faster rate than the older bone is broken down. So, the denser one’s bones are at age 30, the longer it will take to develop osteopenia or osteoporosis.

A bone mineral density test – which measures a person’s current bone mass, compared to peak levels in their youth – can diagnose osteopenia. The test is painless, similar to an X-ray, and reports bone mass as a number called a “T-score.” A T-score between +1 and −1 is considered normal or healthy. Bone density of −1 to −2.5 is considered low bone mass, or osteopenia. A T-score of – 2.5 or more is defined as osteoporosis.

A bone mineral density test that reveals osteopenia should be a red flag that a person with low bone mass should take steps to slow down bone loss and prevent, or delay, osteoporosis, including eating a diet rich in calcium, taking vitamins C and D, and making weight-bearing exercise a regular habit. Depending on your bone mineral density test score, your doctor may prescribe medication to slow your rate of bone loss.

Learn more by visiting www.smhfranklin.com, click on “Health Resources” and “Interactive Tools,” and test your knowledge with the Osteoporosis Risk Assessment, or the Osteoporosis Quiz.

Dr. MANISH A. PATEL has extensive training in treating shoulder, elbow and knee injuries and performing arthroscopic surgery. He is the principal practitioner in the offices of Southampton Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Center, located on the campus of Southampton Memorial Hospital. He be reached at 757-562-7301.