A Warning between Healthy Bones and Osteoporosis

Wednesday, March 30, 2005

ROCHESTER, Minn. — Is osteopenia in your personal health vocabulary?

It should be, according to the April issue of Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource, especially if you're past menopause.

Osteopenia is a degree of bone loss that's between healthy, normal bones and osteoporosis, which causes weak and brittle bones and increases the risk of bone fracture. A diagnosis of osteopenia is a call to action to stop further bone loss.

Your bone health is determined in part by a bone mineral density (BMD) measure, which compares your bone density with the peak bone density of a young, healthy woman. Every postmenopausal woman should have the screening by age 65. Depending on risk factors, your doctor could recommend the test earlier.

If the BMD indicates osteopenia, you'll want to talk to your doctor about ways to halt bone loss before it progresses to osteoporosis. Ways for postmenopausal women to keep bones healthy include:

* Consume 1,200 to 1,500 milligrams of elemental calcium and 400 to 600 international units of vitamin D every day.

* If you smoke, quit.

* If you're sedentary, get moving. Daily weight-bearing exercises and strength training help build bones.

* Talk to your doctor about other medication options, especially if you're at increased risk of osteoporosis. Risk factors include menopause before age 40, family history of osteoporosis, smoking, white or Asian heritage, oral steroid use and several other clinical factors.

Erik Kaldor — Jacksonville — 904-953-2299

Lynn Closway — Scottsdale — 480-301-4337

The above article is from the April issue of Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource. You may cite this publication as often as you wish. Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource attribution is required. Also, you may reprint up to four articles annually without cost. More frequent reprinting is allowed for a fee. Include the following subscription information as your editorial policies permit: Call toll free for subscription information, 800-876-8633, extension 9PK1.

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