A Sign of Bone Loss You Need to Know

Osteopenia, a precursor to osteoporosis, is a telltale sign of bone loss and should be treated. If left untreated, sufferers could face an increased risk in bone fractures, loss of mobility, pain, deformities, and other bone problems.

A condition where bone density is low, osteopenia affects 18 million Americans. Risk factors of this condition include excessive alcohol use, smoking, anorexia, lack of calcium, and family history.

“Making sure you get your daily amount of vitamin D is one of the easier steps someone can take to prevent conditions such as osteopenia and osteoporosis from occurring,” says Dr. Michael S. Bahk, fracture specialist at Southern California Orthopedic Institute. “This means incorporating healthy foods such as milk, yogurt, cheese, fish, and vegetables.”

Sometimes osteopenia is not caught in time, and sufferers will not know they have the condition until they suffer a fracture. Therefore, undergoing bone density testing as we age is another preventative measure one can take. While many adults should consider one of these tests, women over the age of 65 are especially at risk due to menopause and should speak with their physician about scheduling bone density testing.

If you would like to undergo a bone density test, contact the orthopedic specialists at Southern California Orthopedic Institute at (877) 952-8484. Or for more information, visit our osteoporosis page.

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