The two medical terms are sometimes confused and it is important to know the difference and how each is related to arthritis. The biggest difference between the two is that osteopenia is not considered a disease while osteoporosis is.
Instead, osteopenia is considered a marker for risk of fractures. It results when the formation of new skeletal structure does not occur at a rate which can offset normal bone loss.
It is a disease that causes skeletal structures to weaken, become brittle and more easily breakable. The disease process can be undetected and symptom free for decades.
It is a harsh reality that the drugs taken to treat arthritis, especially the corticosteroids, also take a negative toll on the skeletal structure. Early detection of the disease is very important.
Standard x-rays do not detect osteoporosis until one-quarter of bone mass is already lost. By then susceptibility to fracture already exists.
DEXA is an early detection tool and can detect as little as one percent of bone loss. This uses a low level of radiation, focuses on the hip and spine which are common sites of fracture, and is considered safe and comfortable for the patient.
It cannot, however, be covered by some insurance plans. People at risk for osteoporosis should get one of the less expensive screenings done first.
Bone density scans have made this easier to measure. Prior to testing, radiologists used the term osteopenia to describe skeletal structures that seemed more translucent than normal on x-ray and the term osteoporosis described the occurrence of vertebral fracture.
Bone density scans changed those definitions. Osteopenia is only one hazardfactor for fracture.
Other hazard factors include a previous fracture, aging, smoking, drinking more than two alcoholic. Another increased risk factor is race and gender.
Caucasian women have two or three times more risk compared to men or black and Hispanic women. You can also be at a higher hazard for ostepenia if you have a parent who had a hip fracture, live a sedentary lifestyle, or take in inadequate amounts of calcium and vitamin D.
Conditions that increase the risk of falling such as poor vision, poor footwear, medical conditions that affect balance, use of sedative medications, or a history of falls can cause you to have a hip fracture. Taking certain medications, including corticosteroids can result in glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis, as can having certain medical conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis or other rheumatic diseases can cause secondary osteoporosis
Secondary osteoporosis occurs when an underlying disease, deficiency, or drug causes. When no secondary cause can be identified, the condition is referred to as primary osteoporosis.
Lifestyle changes can slow the progression of bone loss and decrease the risk of fractures. Lifestyle changes that can help prevent fractures include maintaining a healthy weight and participating in regular exercise.
Regular exercise includes weight-bearing exercise like walking, running, hiking, and tennis. You should also make sure you have enough vitamin D and calcium in your diet or by taking dietary supplements.
Having regular density tests can help slow progression of bone loss and decrease the hazard of fractures by monitoring density measurements. Medications are used to treat osteoporosis.
Specialty doctors such as rheumatologists, gynecologists, internal medicine doctors, and geriatric specialists treat patients showing signs of early bone loss. These different specialists, however, do not always agree on the best course.
Patients with osteopenia should be treated with medications to prevent progression to osteoporosis. There is, however, inconsistency in what is recommended for people with the condition.
Many experts believe that treating osteopenia with medications would not be cost-effective. With additional risk factors, such as corticosteroid use or having rheumatoid arthritis, treating the condition becomes more of a consideration though.
It is important to remember that T scores alone cannot predict which patients will have fractures and which patients will not. Assessing all of the hazard factors is the best way to decide whether treatment with medications is indicated.
Patients with signs of early bone loss should focus on lifestyle modifications. They should also discuss the benefits and risks of medications with their doctor.
Author Resource:-
Tom Selwick has been involved with medicine for over 20 years. He specializes in spinal recovery medicine and recommends this Salt Lake Back Pain for all your back needs.
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