To treat osteopenia, a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D and exposure to sunlight is recommended in a few hours safely.In addition, it is also important to change certain habits that can decrease bone density, such as excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, inactivity, or excessive physical activity, for example.
Osteopenia is identified by examining bone densitometry, which shows a T-score between -1 and -2.5, and is the result of reduced bone resistance caused by calcium loss, but which has not yet been converted into osteoporosis.It can also be done to measure calcium, vitamin D, among others.Learn more about what osteopenia is and how to identify.
- With treatment osteopenia can be reversed.
- To make this happen and to prevent the onset of osteoporosis.
- Treatment should be started as soon as possible and can be guided by the family doctor.
- Geriatrician.
- Orthopedist or endocrinologist.
It is recommended to consume both calcium and vitamin D to prevent and treat osteopenia, since in many cases the lack of these substances is the main reason for the weakening of the bones.
In general, eating calcium-rich foods, such as milk, yogurt, cheese and soy, or sunbathing to produce vitamin D for at least 15 minutes a day for white-skinned people or 45 minutes a day for black-skinned people, may already be enough measures to prevent osteoporosis.
However, it is recommended that for people with osteopenia, vitamin D supplementation should be performed every day, as recommended by the doctor, as supplementation doses should be adapted to the results obtained in each person’s diagnostic tests..
See also the video below for more tips on diet and other bone-strengthening habits:
Lack of physical activity, especially in people who spend a lot of time in bed, is one of the main causes of bone weakness.On the other hand, athletes tend to have a higher bone mass than the general population.
Therefore, regular and frequent physical activity is important to help regain bone strength and is also a great way to prevent falls and thus reduce the risk of fractures. Learn more about these and other benefits of physical activity in older adults.
Decreased estrogen, the most common situation in menopause, is a major cause of osteopenia and increased bone fragility, so in women who want to have a hormone replacement and when appropriately directed by the doctor, this may be a good alternative to help rebalance metabolism and keep bones stronger for longer.
Learn more about how hormone replacement therapy is performed and the best alternatives.
Some remedies used can have harmful side effects on bones, especially when used for months or years, and can weaken them and cause an increased risk of osteopenia and even osteoporosis.
Some of the main medications with this effect include glucocorticoids, anticonvulsants, lithium and hepatin, for example.This way, if the bones weaken, it is possible to talk to your doctor if there is an opportunity to adjust the medications used.It is important to remember that this is not always possible, and as an alternative, it is important to talk to your doctor about the need to initiate treatments for osteoporosis, thus avoiding the risk of fractures.
Smoking has a toxic effect on bone tissue, so to have healthy and strong bones, it is recommended to quit smoking, it should be remembered that this attitude will also reduce the risk of several other diseases. Find out what are the main diseases caused by smoking.
In addition, excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages, especially people with alcoholism, can also damage bone mass, also increasing the risk of fractures, so it is another habit that needs to be eliminated to ensure they stay healthy.
For the treatment of osteoporosis, in addition to calcium supplements, vitamin D supplements and the guidelines provided, it is generally not necessary to use medications.
However, in some cases, the use of medications to treat osteoporosis may be appropriate, even if the bone examination has not reached this level. This may be necessary for people who are at higher risk of developing fractures in the coming years, such as those who have already had a fracture, a family history of hip fracture, excessively low body weight, steroid use, or rheumatoid arthritis, for example.
Some of the drugs listed are those that help increase bone mass such as alendronate, risedronate, calcitonin, pittumab or strontium ranelate, for example, and should only be used with appropriate indication from the doctor, who will assess their health risks and benefits for each person Learn more about the treatment of osteoporosis.