Osteopenia Symptoms? Too Little and Too Late

Osteopenia is a condition of lower than normal bone mineral density (BMD) that has a T score between -1 and -2.5 on a bone density test-also known as a DXA or DEXA scan. Osteopenia may be a precursor of osteoporosis (which occurs with even lower bone density) but it does necessarily mean that bone loss will continue. It is normal to lose some bone density as we age although a rapid loss is a serious warning sign that something is out of balance.

Rather than experiencing osteopenia symptoms, most people discover they have osteopenia during a medical check-up. It is recommended that women have a baseline bone density scan when they reach perimenopause (menstrual irregularity occurring usually between 45 and 55) or earlier if they are at risk from the use of certain medications. Men should request a bone density test at age 70 or earlier if using corticosteroids or prostate cancer drugs.

Our bones will have lost a significant amount of density before we experience any clear osteopenia symptoms. But once our bones approach levels closer to osteoporosis, we may experience the following warning signs:

Dull pain in the bones or muscles, particularly in the lower back or neck

Severe back pain if the spine is fractured or collapsed

Loss of height due to spinal compression fractures, with an accompanying stooped posture

Fracture of the vertebrae, wrists, hips or other bones

As bone loss continues, sharp pains may arrive suddenly and increase with activity that puts weight on the affected area. The pain generally begins to subside in one week but may linger for three months or longer.

With continued bone loss, fractures of the spine (vertebra) can cause severe band-like pain that radiates from the back to the side of the body. Over the years, repeated spine fractures can cause chronic lower back pain as well as loss of height or curving of the spine, which give the individual a hunched-back appearance of the upper back, often called a dowager hump.

Rather than wait for osteoporosis symptoms, a bone density test can provide an excellent measure of our bone health so that we can take steps to prevent further deterioration. Fortunately, research shows that proper diet, supplements, exercise and sometimes medication can halt and even reverse osteopenia.

For information on an affordable supplement program that helps to treat osteopenia symptoms as well as reinforce the benefits of prescription medication...visit http://www.osteoporosis-vitamins.com/osteoporosis-treatment-guidelines.html.

Darlene Varaleau is a lawyer and business person by profession. After being diagnosed with osteopenia, she developed http://osteoporosis-vitamins.com to explore natural osteoporosis treatment options. The site provides information on affordable calcium and vitamin supplements, strontium, progesterone cream and exercise. She loves getting suggestions for improving the site, so please drop by for a visit.

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Menopause - Understanding the Physiology of Menopause, Its Symptoms and Treatment

The experience of menopause may vary widely. Some women glide through the menopausal transition without seeming to have very many symptoms, whilst other have severe symptoms which can substantially interfere with their quality of life.

WHAT IS MENOPAUSE?

Menopause is the time when a woman permanently stops having menstrual periods. It is not a disease, but merely life's natural transition, from the reproductive to the non-reproductive phase of a woman's life. However, menopause cannot be satisfactorily defined as a a "permanent stopping of menstrual periods" because it is what happens to the ovaries that is key to menopause, as opposed to what happens to the uterus (which is secondary).

To illustrate, let us say the uterus of a young woman is surgically removed. She would no longer be able to have any menstruation, but she is not menopausal, because her ovaries continue to produce hormones. On the other hand, if both her ovaries are removed surgically, or destroyed through chemotherapy, she would immediately be in menopause.

Thus, menopause occurs with the the cessation of hormone production by the ovaries.

CAUSES OF MENOPAUSE

1. Natural or physiological menopause:

Occurs as part of a woman's normal aging process. It marks the end of a woman's potential childbearing years, brought on by the ovaries gradually slowing down their function. FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) is a hormone produced by the brain, and it is responsible for stimulating the growth of the woman's eggs. As menopause approaches, the remaining eggs become resistant to FSH (hence FSH levels increase) and the ovaries reduce their production of estrogen significantly (hence, estrogen levels decrease). It is this fluctuating and rapidly declining estrogen levels that is responsible for many of the symptoms associated with menopause.

2. Induced Menopause:

This can be caused by surgical removal of both ovaries or disruption in normal ovarian function due to chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH MENOPAUSE

Symptoms can range from mild to severe, with each woman experiencing it differently. Some symptoms will be very bothersome, whilst others are quite manageable. The most common symptoms include hot flushes, mood changes and vaginal dryness.

1. MENOPAUSAL SYMPTOMS:

(i)Vasomotor Symptoms



hot flushes


night sweats


palpitations



headaches

(ii)Atrophic Tissues

vaginal dryness


dyspareunia (pain during intercourse)


vaginitis


urinary incontinence and burning sensation on urination


postmenopausal bleeding


thinning of skin


breast changes (menopause may cause changes in shape of the breasts)

(iii)Psychological



depression


lethargy


loss of concentration


irritability


insomnia


poor libido

2. OSTEOPOROSIS

Rapid bone loss occurs during the perimenopausal and postmenopausal years. Bone loss in itself is painless, but it can lead to osteoporosis with increased fracture risk.

3. ISCHAEMIC CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE

Non-smoking pre-menopausal women rarely suffer for cardiovascular disease. However, within 10 years of menopause, they catch up with the heart attack incidence of their male counterparts.

DIAGNOSIS AND INVESTIGATIONS

The diagnosis of menopause is usually made in retrospect - once it has been 12 months since your last menstruation, you are deemed to be in menopause. Occasionally, your doctor may do some laboratory tests to check the levels of certain hormones. This would include Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Estradiol levels.

Other tests which may be done include:

Thyroid Stimulating Hormone - because thyroid disease can mimic the symptoms of menopause.

Cardiovascular Risk assessment - cholesterol levels, checks for diabetes, echocardiogram etc.

Assessment of Osteoporotic risk - DEXA scan for those at increased risk of osteoporosis.

TREATMENT

Menopause is not a disease that requires treatment. However, short term Hormone Replacement Therapy may be prescribed in women with severe symptoms. Treatment is also prescribed for the associated effects of menopause eg. Osteoporosis, increased cardiovascular risk, urinary incontinence etc.

Dr Ang C.D. is has been in medical practice for over 12 years. He graduated with an M.B.B.S. degree from the National University of Singapore in 1997 and subsequently completed his post-graduate diploma in Family Medicine. He has had training in Emergency Medicine, Internal Medicine, Geriatric Medicine, Orthopaedic Surgery, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Neurosurgery, General Surgery, Colorectal Surgery and Urology.

Dr Ang currently practices in a family clinic in Singapore, seeing a good mix of paediatric, adult and geriatric patients. With the goal of providing local and international patients with a resource for specialist care in Singapore, Dr Ang has founded SingaporeDoc.com, a Web Directory of Specialists in Private Practice in Singapore.

http://singaporedoc.com

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