Osteopenia is a condition in which the density of a patient’s bones has declined, but not to the level required for an osteoporosis diagnosis. Both osteopenia and osteoporosis can be detected via DXA scans, and both can lead to an increased risk of bone fractures, but not all patients with osteopenia will need to take medication to address it. Potential causes and contributors to osteopenia include genetics, hormonal changes after menopause, a sedentary lifestyle, taking prednisone or other corticosteroids, underlying medical conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis that cause chronic inflammation, or malabsorption disorders. Treatments for osteopenia typically include dietary modifications, measures to control an underlying medical condition and possibly medications similar to those assigned for osteoporosis.
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