Women's Issues: Osteopenia vs Osteoporosis

Hi Everyone!

Sorry about not getting a post out yesterday.  We had business out of town that took longer than expected.  Thank you for your patience and understanding.

One of the issues that women face as they age, and especially after menopause whether natural or surgically induced, is Osteoporosis.  Most of us have heard about this disorder and it can affect men as well, so fellas... don't tune out.  As stated, most of us have heard about and have a basic understanding of osteoporosis.  But have you ever heard about osteopenia?  What's the difference? 

For a clinical definition of these two terms, Mosby's Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing & Health Professions, 7th edition was consulted.

"Osteoporosis:   a disorder characterized by abnormal loss of bone density and deterioration of bone tissue, with an increased fracture risk.  It occurs most frequently in post-menopausal women, sedentary or immobilized individuals, and patients on long-term steroid therapy.  The disorder may cause pain, especially in the lower back, pathologic fractures, loss of stature, and various deformities.  Osteoporosis may be without a known cause or secondary to other disorders, such as thyrotoxicosis or the bone demineralization caused by hyperparathyroidism. "

Right under it is:  "Osteoporosis of disuse:  a decrease in bone mass that occurs in sedentary people or patients confined to bed for a long period."

"Osteopenia:  a condition of subnormally mineralized bone, usually the result of a rate of bone lysis that exceeds the rate of bone matrix synthesis."

According to the Medical Surgical Nursing textbook by Ignatavicius and Workmen, osteopenia is low bone density and osteoporosis is chronic extremely low bone density. 

Risk Factors Listed for primary osteoporosis (not caused by another disorder):

Age:  65+ for women, 75+ for men
Family history
Low trauma fracture after age 50
Caucasian or Asian ancestry
Low weight or thin build
Chronic low calcium intake
Estrogen or Androgen deficiency
Women with other risk factors
History of smoking
High alcohol consumption
Sedentary lifestyle or prolonged immobility

Visit us tomorrow for more information.  In the meantime, get up and get out there if you can.  If you can't get out, at least try to get up.  If you can't get up, try lifting light weights.  As always, consult your health care professional.  Start low and go slow. (See our previous blog on exercise tips).

To your Health!

Deanna