Methods Of Treating Osteopenia

Prescription Medication

Not everyone with osteopenia will need prescription medication treatment. About thirty-four million individuals have osteopenia, which means the condition is responsible for many fractures. However, having osteopenia does not mean patients are at consistent and immediate risk of fractures. If individuals have osteopenia and have never broken a bone, prescription medications may cause more unnecessary side effects than benefits.

However, some doctors will determine prescription medication is the right course of action given their case. Prescriptions tend to be given when a patient has additional risk factors for fracture like parents who fractured their hips, previous or ongoing corticosteroid treatment, small skeletal framing, smoking, consuming over two alcoholic beverages per day, and smoking. Based on this information, doctors determine a patient's risk of fracturing a bone within ten years and decide whether prescriptions are necessary from there.

Take A Calcium Or Vitamin D Supplement

One way individuals with osteopenia can mitigate their risk of fracture is by taking a calcium or vitamin D supplement. Osteopenia patients should ensure their calcium and vitamin D levels aren't deficient. Calcium is best known for building bone mass and increasing overall bone strength. It also helps the heart beat, the muscles contract, and the blood clot. Vitamin D is also necessary for bone health because it helps the body absorb calcium.

If patients take a calcium supplement but have depleted vitamin D levels, their body probably won't absorb most of said supplement. Certain foods, as mentioned, have been fortified with small amounts of vitamin D, including fatty fish, cheese, egg yolks, beef liver, and fortified milk in the United States. When the body is exposed to sunlight, it makes vitamin D. However, individuals should limit their skin exposure to the sun to reduce their risks of developing skin cancer.