Osteoporosis and Bone Strength

Osteoporosis is a condition characterized by thinning bones, or loss of bone density. This condition is associated with bone weakness and increased risk of bone pain, stress fractures and/or bone fractures.

Risk factors for osteoporosis include aging, being female, low body weight, low sex hormones, menopause, smoking, sedentary lifestyle and side effects of some medications. Traditional prevention and treatment protocols have included calcium and vitamin D supplementation, estrogen, exercise, and osteoporosis medications.

Factors associated with increased risk of osteoporosis may include:

• Genetics or family history

• Low body weight or low body mass index

• Poor nutrition

• Eating disorders

• Low dietary calcium intake

• Vitamin D insufficiency

Osteopenia

Osteopenia is a condition characterized by low bone mineral density (LBMD). Bone Mineral Density is the amount of calcium or minerals measured in a segment of bone. A higher mineral content indicates greater bone density or stronger bones. Individuals having Osteopenia have been found to have reduced bone mass but to a lesser extent than what would be needed for the diagnosis of Osteoporosis.

Current Remedies

Osteopenia is a condition characterized by low bone mineral density (LBMD). Bone Mineral Density is the amount of calcium or minerals measured in a segment of bone. A higher mineral content indicates greater bone density or stronger bones. Individuals having Osteopenia have been found to have reduced bone mass but to a lesser extent than what would be needed for the diagnosis of Osteoporosis.

Current strategies for preserving bone health include factors such as maintaining a healthy weight, maintaining a diet with adequate amounts of Calcium and Vitamin D, regular exercise, an active lifestyle, limiting alcohol intake, avoiding sleeping medications, and abstaining from smoking.If one is diagnosed with Osteopenia, the signs of weakening of the bones is detectable but not sufficiently severe to pose risk of fractured bones. Fractured bones commonly associated with more severe bone loss, is characteristic of individuals having the diagnosis of Osteoporosis.

Having Osteopenia may be a sign of risk for subsequent development of Osteoporosis. Your doctor may consider a variety of possible treatment options including; medications called Bisphosphonates, vitamin supplementation, mineral supplementation, hormone therapy, and/or exercise prescription. Since a wide variety of health conditions may influence bone health, your doctor may proceed with additional other medical testing prior to determining the best course of remedy for your bone health.

Osteopenia: Less Often Targeted in Intervention Studies. Most bone density research evaluating the effectiveness of medications and vitamin/mineral supplementation has been conducted with individuals diagnosed with Osteoporosis and fewer studies have been conducted on the effectiveness of medications for the treatment of Osteopenia. Further study is needed.  Your doctor will consider a variety of factors such as; health history, health status, current bone health, age, risk, cost, and available treatment options, etc., in order to advise you of the best course of treatment.

It is important to know that while most bone health research has been conducted on a female population, all individuals, including females, males, LGBTQ and non-binary individuals, may have risk of Osteopenia and/or Osteoporosis. Any individual diagnosed with Osteopenia or Osteoporosis may benefit from treatment and all treatment options and medical monitoring should be made available to them.

Dexa Scan

Osteopenia & Osteoporosis are typically diagnosed by diagnostic imagery called a DEXA Scan. The DEXA scan is essentially a series of pictures of your bones. The DEXA Scan shows the shape, size and density of your bones.  The DEXA Scan is ordered by your physician and results are considered in combination with your health history and current health status. The DEXA Scan results may be used by your doctor to help create a comprehensive treatment plan if needed.

DEXA Scans are commonly available at major hospitals and some free-standing diagnostic imaging clinics. It may be beneficial to repeat DEXA Scans in the same setting as any previous DEXA Scans to ensure reliability of results. Your doctor will advise the diagnostic imaging location that is recommended for you.

With your doctor’s permission, bioDensity may be used alone or in combination with other treatments for low bone mineral density.  All progress is electronically documented and shared with you and your doctor upon request.  DEXA Scans completed before beginning bioDensity and periodically overtime will accurately document improvement in your bone density and/or bone health.

Learn more about Chicago bioDensity Results.