What is decreased bone density?
Decreased bone density, also known as osteopenia or osteoporosis, occurs when the struts and plates making up bone tissue become thinner and the spaces between them grow larger. This causes the internal structure of bones to become less dense and progressively more fragile and prone to fracturing.
Some key points about decreased bone density:
- It often develops slowly and without symptoms over many years. Many people don't know they have decreased bone density until a minor fall or sudden impact causes a bone fracture.
- It can occur due to the natural process of aging, or be secondary to certain medical conditions, medications, or lifestyle factors that affect bone growth and loss.
- Both women and men can develop decreased bone density, but it is most common among postmenopausal women due to declining levels of estrogen. Other risk factors include small body frame, family history, smoking, excess alcohol, and inadequate nutrition/calcium and vitamin D intake.
- Decreased bone density is diagnosed using a bone mineral density (BMD) test, such as a dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA/DEXA) scan or ultrasound scan to measure bone loss.
- Treatment focuses on slowing or preventing further bone loss rather than restoring lost bone. It may include weight-bearing exercise, a balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamin D, not smoking, limiting alcohol, and certain medicines like bisphosphonates.