The normal functioning of the human body directly depends on the state of the skeletal system. The decrease in bone density leads to their weakening, which can result in fractures. Most often, this pathology is diagnosed in women who are in the postmenopausal period. But sometimes the disease occurs at a younger age, both in women and in men. A decrease in bone density is the main manifestation of a disease such as osteopenia. What it is? Why does it occur? What are the symptoms and treatment? Osteopenia precedes such a serious disease as osteoporosis, so pathology cannot be ignored.
Reasons
Why the disease of osteopenia develops is not completely known today. Bones become thinner with age. This is a completely natural process. When a person reaches a certain period, old bone tissue cells are destroyed much faster than new ones are formed. The peak of bone growth occurs at the age of thirty, then this process declines. With the maximum possible bone thickness, the likelihood of developing osteopenia is significantly reduced.
Also osteopenia of the bones can occur ifif a person has initially reduced their density.
Factors contributing to the development of this pathology
Osteopenia most often develops:
- women;
- with a thin physique;
- for Europeans;
- in old age;
- long-term use of corticosteroids, gastric and anticonvulsants;
-
with alcohol abuse and smoking;
- due to an unbalanced diet (vitamin D deficiency);
- with a sedentary lifestyle;
- as a result of drinking carbonated drinks;
- in violation of the absorption of nutrients in the intestine;
- after chemotherapy for malignant tumors;
- after exposure to ionizing radiation.
In addition, the pathology may be hereditary.
Osteopenia: symptoms of the disease
With the development of this disease, pain does not appear, and the patient often does not know about the problem that has arisen. Even if a crack has appeared, a person may not feel anything until the bone tissue is damaged. After going to the hospital, he will be sent for diagnostics.
Causes of osteopenia of the femoral neck
Osteopenia of the femoral neck is most often diagnosed in old age. Contributes to the development of the disease violation of bone mineralization. This condition is the main provoking factor of femoral fracture. Osteopenia of the femoral neck is diagnosed quite difficult, so the pathology is not treated. In addition, in old age, secondary diseases can develop, which are manifested by various symptoms. Such a sign as a short-term loss of sensitivity of the skin in the thigh area is often not associated with osteopenia. A low degree of bone density is detected only in the case of a fracture of the femoral neck. But, unfortunately, by this time the pathological process becomes systemic and is detected in the entire skeletal system of the body.
A qualified radiologist will clearly distinguish osteoporosis from a normal structure on an x-ray. But osteopenia is not characterized by a significant decrease in the concentration of calcium in the bones, for this reason, the pathology is not detected in the picture.
Osteopenia of the lumbar spine
This condition most often develops as a result of pathology of the lungs, transplantation of internal organs, the use of anticonvulsants and antidepressants, prolonged fasting. Also, osteopenia of the spine (treatment of the pathology will be described below) can be the result of intense bone resorption and imperfect osteogenesis. The thinning of bone tissue in general and the lumbar spine in particular is a physiological process of aging. Osteopenia of the spine, as well as osteopenia of other areas, does not manifest itself in any way.
Osteopenia in children
This pathology is observed in about 50% of very premature babies. The disease develops due to insufficient content of minerals (phosphorus and calcium) in the body during pregnancy. The fetus receives the main amount of these substances in the last trimester, and its bones grow faster. A premature baby, accordingly, is practically deprived of these essential elements. Such a baby should receive significantly more phosphorus and calcium from birth.
Also, the growth of the supporting apparatus depends on the active movements of the fetus in the third trimester. A premature baby is quite weak, moves very little, and as a result, bone strength is reduced.
Mother's milk contains insufficient amounts of the substances necessary for intensive bone growth. Therefore, minerals should be added either to breast milk or to a specialized milk formula until the baby weighs 3.5 kg. The required daily dose of vitamin D is determined by the doctor, as a rule, it is 800 units. In addition, physical activity (massage) promotes bone strengthening and growth.
Diagnosis
We talked about such a disease as osteopenia, what it is and why it develops, found out. And how to diagnose this pathology? Bone mineral density (BMD) is measured in the spine, femurs, and sometimes the hands to determine osteopenia. Z-score as a result of the test showsthe difference between the patient's BMD and the average of people of the same sex and age. To date, the most informative and accurate method is densitometry or dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DERA). This procedure allows detecting bone loss from 2% per year. A standard X-ray examination in this case is not informative enough to detect the loss of such an amount of bone mass or small changes in bone density, so this method does not confirm or refute the diagnosis of osteopenia.
Symptoms of pathology are found most often in older people, when the bone density index exceeds 2. In this case, the patient has changes in the lumbar spine. An x-ray will help identify the deformity. On the pictures, in addition to specific disorders of the vertebrae, there will be a noticeable decrease in their density.
Densitometric diagnostics has the following criteria:
- norm when the density index is less than 1;
- osteopenia with a density index of 1 to 2.5;
- osteoporosis above 2.5.
Who should be screened for osteopenia
BMD test is highly recommended for the following individuals:
- Women over 50 (menopausal) and men over 70.
- People of both sexes from 50 years of age, if there are prerequisites for the development of osteoporosis.
- If there were casesbroken bones after 50 years.
- Both sexes on long-term use of bone-reducing drugs.
- If osteopenia is already diagnosed, regardless of gender and age, regular examinations should be done.
Method of treating poor bone mineralization
Therapy for such a pathology as osteopenia (what it is, was described above), is to prevent its further development. To strengthen bones, experts recommend reconsidering your lifestyle and giving up bad habits. In addition, you should exclude the use of low-quality food and provide the body with full physical activity.
Diet for osteopenia
If osteopenia is diagnosed, treatment is primarily based on a balanced diet. Every day you need to eat fruits, herbs, vegetables. It is very important to include milk and dairy products (kefir, cottage cheese, fermented baked milk, yogurt) in the menu. Magnesium, which contains beans, vegetables, and cereals, will also help increase bone density.
Be aware that caffeine and s alt promote calcium loss. To improve bone he alth, it is recommended to consume caffeine-free beverages and limit the amount of s alt in processed foods.
We should not forget about the importance of the presence of vitamin D in the body. In the skin, it is formed under the influence of ultraviolet radiation, so in sunny weather you need to walk longer.
Medic altreatment
For osteopenia, treatment may include medication.
Most common drugs:
- Calcitriol.
- "Calcitonin".
- Teriparatide.
- Raloxifene.
- bisphosphonates.
Means "Calcitriol" is a preparation of vitamin D. This substance in the drug is contained in a high concentration, so the drug is dispensed by prescription. Calcium levels must be controlled while using this medicine.
Calcitomin is a thyroid hormone that regulates calcium metabolism in the body. With a deficiency of this hormone, resorption begins to predominate over osteogenesis. In this case, the drug "Calcitonin", obtained from sea salmon, is used. The structure of this substance is similar to the human hormone.
The use of the drug "Teriparatide" is prescribed by an endocrinologist. This drug belongs to the stimulants of anabolic metabolism. Its excess can provoke a resorptive effect.
The drug "Raloxifene" has an estrogenic effect that inhibits bone resorption. Under the influence of the drug, bone mass increases and calcium loss through the urinary system decreases.
Bisphosphonates are also targeted at preventing bone resorption. Medicines belonging to this group do not promote osteogenesis, they only prevent bone destruction. With regular use of bisphosphonates, osteoclasts (cells that break downbone tissue) will not be able to perform their function. Therefore, such medicines can only be used for a short time. In the course of experimental studies, it was found that with prolonged blockage of bone resorption, cancerous transformations of bone cells develop, which can threaten the patient's life.
Physical activity
An effective fight against osteopenia involves mandatory sports. An excellent choice is swimming or brisk walking. It is also recommended to go to the gym. In old age, walks in the fresh air are useful, daily and for several hours. Young people are encouraged to run in the morning and exercise regularly.
Preventive measures
Prevention of osteopenia is similar to therapeutic measures. First of all, it is a he althy lifestyle. It is very important to ensure sufficient intake of vitamin D and calcium in the body, the diet should be balanced and varied. It is highly desirable to give up smoking and reduce the consumption of alcoholic beverages to a minimum. From youth, monitor your he alth and take measures to strengthen bone tissue.
It's never too late to make lifestyle changes to improve your well-being. If you follow the above recommendations, ailments will bypass you.
Conclusion
After reading this article, you learned about the causes of such a disease as osteopenia, what it is and what methods of treatment exist. We hope you find the information useful. Take care of yourself andstay he althy!
