What is osteopenia and what can one do about it?
Charles Shapiro, M.D.: Osteopenia is a condition of less bone density or bone mass than would be normally expected if you compare a woman to a woman or population of women her age. Osteopenia is the bone loss that, as it continues, can lead to osteoporosis, which is when you’ve lost so much bone that your risk for fractures is significantly higher. The symptoms of osteoporosis can be painful skeletal fractures, loss of height, and a higher risk of breaking bones. It’s actually a common problem in women, especially those older than 65.
