Low Bone Density

About Low Bone Density

low bone density provide the scaffolding that holds our bodies upright. Contrary to popular belief, healthy bones are not solid. Their interiors are made of a honeycomb structure with tiny holes to keep them light and springy. 

However, bones that have lost a lot of mineral density have much larger holes as well as thin outer walls, which can increase their risk of breaking.

Why should you care if your bone density is low?

Low bone density can lead to serious medical conditions that could result in bone fractures.

The most worrisome condition is osteoporosis, where low bone density causes holes inside the bone to widen and the outer walls. This causes the bone to be more fragile. 

People with osteoporosis are at a much greater risk for fracture with little or no trauma. For example, an older person can get a hip fracture as a result of a simple fall from a standing position. Hip fractures are the most serious of all osteoporosis fractures and can cause loss of mobility and independence and even death.

Osteopaths is similar to osteoporosis but where the bone density is not as low.  People with osteopaths are at increased risk for developing osteoporosis.

What are the risk factors for low bone density?

The following can lead to bone loss and an increased risk of fracture:

• Smoking
• Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol
• Low physical activity
• Poor diet, low in vitamins and calcium
• Changes in hormones (from smoking or menopause)
• Age
• Medical conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, chronic kidney disease, overactive parathyroid gland or Celia spruce
• Certain medications like glucocorticoids or hormone blockers
• Multiple melanoma—a cancer that causes bone to weaken and fracture easily
  

What are symptoms of osteopenia or osteoporosis?

Early warning signs of low bone density are subtle. A stooped back or decreasing height can be a sign of decreasing bone density in your spine. A loss of two inches or more of height may indicate that you have osteoporosis. 

If you experience stress fractures in your feet with normal activity or fracture a rib with no particular trauma, you should ask a doctor to check for osteoporosis or osteopenia. If you suffer an arm, wrist or a hip fracture with a fall from a standing position, you are very likely to have fragile bones and definitely need a bone density test.

How are osteoporosis and osteopenia diagnosed?

Doctors use X-rays to measure bone mineral density (BMD) and check for your risk of  developing osteopenia or osteoporosis. Your BMD number will be compared to the BMD number of healthy, young, adult individuals of the same sex, and, in some cases, the same racial background. If your BMD is 2.5 units lower than that reference number, you have osteoporosis. If your BMD is between 1 and 2.5 units lower than the standard BMD, then you have osteopenia.

How are osteoporosis and osteopenia treated?

Although there is no cure for osteoporosis or osteopenia, there are ways doctors can help slow bone loss and sometimes improve bone density. Most commonly, doctors will recommend that patients supplement their vitamin D and calcium intake. Doctors may also prescribe medications like bisphosphonates or denosumab, which slow bone breakdown. 

Estrogen supplements for post-menopausal women can slow bone breakdown and are effective at relieving other menopausal symptoms. However, estrogen can have side effects, including a higher risk for breast cancer, blood clots and heart disease.

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