Diagnosing Osteopenia

• You may be diagnosed with osteopenia if you undergo testing of your bone mineral density. While the dangers of decreasing bone mass were once thought to apply primarily to women, researchers are now recognizing the risks of this condition for men as well. Bone density testing is commonly performed at a number of different sites on the body, including your spine, hips, wrists, fingers, heels and shin bones.
  
  

Exercise or Drug Treatment?

• While some doctors may recommend treating your osteopenia with the same sorts of drugs used to treat osteoporosis, according to Johns Hopkins University (www.johnshopkinshealthalerts.com), this approach may not be valid. Among other factors, they cite the potential for harmful medication side effects and the relatively high cost of drug treatment. As an alternative to medication, consult your doctor and consider engaging in a regular exercise program instead.
  
  

Osteopenia Exercises and Results

• Not all exercises are equally suitable to combat the effects of osteopenia. In fact, a study performed by the University of Missouri--Columbia found that engaging in low-impact exercises such as cycling can actually trigger increased levels of osteopenia even in competitive athletes. To avoid worsening your condition, focus instead on exercises that require you to carry a substantial portion of your own body weight. Examples of this form of exercise include jogging, walking, running, low-impact aerobics and rope jumping. If you engage in this type of activity three times weekly for a period of six months, you may be able to raise your bone mineral density by as much as much as two or three percent. This gain may translate into as much as a 15 percent decrease in your susceptibility to bone fracture.
  
  Benefits from weight-bearing or high-impact exercise were also uncovered by the Erlangen Fitness Osteoporosis Prevention Study, as reported by the American Academy of Family Physicians at www.aafp.org. According to the study, you may be able to maintain bone density in areas where non-exercisers will not, such as your hip joints. You may also experience decreased levels of pain in areas including your spine.
  
  

Additional Benefits

• In addition to improvements directly related to your osteopenia, regular exercise will increase your overall strength and endurance, and may also lower your levels of dangerous cholesterol and fatty triglycerides. Consult your doctor or physical therapist for guidance on additional suitable exercises for osteopenia.