When an individual experiences a lower-than-normal bone mineral density (BMD), osteoporosis is not usually the cause, medical research says. Osteopenia may also be its cause. Osteoporosis is recently a topic that is much talked about. This situation can possibly be attributed to the recent Fosamax lawsuit filed in Illinois.

Osteopenia is considered by the medical industry as a precursor to osteoporosis. Yet, osteoporosis is not always the expected thing to happen for osteopenia. OId age is the normal reason for osteopenia to happen. Thin bones are expected on older people. However, circumstances, like menopausal phase, eating disorders/metabolism problems, chemotherapy/steroid medicines, and radiation exposure may also contribute on its development. One of the sad facts of this condition is that it does not display symptoms. However, there is a higher risk of bone breaking.

Osteoporosis is considered to be a very common type of bone disease. Thin bones can happen on this condition which will lose its density overtime. It occurs when the body cannot form new bone or too much old bone is reabsorbed by the body. The many reasons why this kind of medical condition may happen include:

• Estrogen drop among women and testosterone drop among men
• Chronic rheumatoid arthritis, chronic kidney disease, eating disorder
• Taking corticosteroid medications every day for more than three months and taking some antiseizure drug

• Hyperparathyroidism
• Vitamin D deficiency

Just like osteopenia, osteoporosis displays no symptoms except when the disease is on its later stage. These symptoms include:

• Bone pain or tenderness

• Fractures with little or no trauma

• Loss of height (as much as six inches) over time

• Low back pain due to fractures of the spinal bones

• Neck pain due to fractures of the spinal bones

• Stooped posture or kyphosis, also called a "dowager's hump

Osteopenia and osteoporosis consider bone mineral density its foundation. It is a reference to the level of eating disorders/metabolism problems, chemotherapy/steroid medicines, and radiation exposure. It can be determined through a bone mineral density test. A result of -1.0 bone mineral density test or higher is expected on individuals with normal bone density. -1.0 to -2.5 is expected among individuals with osteopenia. Meanwhile, people with osteoporosis are expected to display results of -2.5 and lower.

The BMD must be checked on people who are at risk of osteopenia and osteoporosis. This may be helpful in avoiding the condition and a Fosamax lawsuit.