What is the difference between Osteopenia and Osteoporosis ?

Osteopenia is thinning of bone mass while this is not a serious risk factor, commonly seen in people above 50, can lead to osteoporosis IF NEGLECTED.

Osteoporosis can also be called 'Fragile bone disease', when the bone becomes fragile or brittle due to the loss of Calcium, Vitamin D, Magnesium and other minerals which can in turn lead to loss of height, hump back, stooping and pain.

The strength of bone is ascertained by a Bone Mineral Density Test. It is assessed as a T Score based on Standard Deviation.(Standard deviation is the difference between normal young's score and the patient's score).

Heredity, Poor lifestyle, medical condition like hyperthyroidism, hyperparathyroidism and Cushing's syndrome can lead to bone loss. Women are more susceptible bone loss .

Healthy diet with adequate in minerals, exercise (especially weight bearing), avoidance of smoking and alcohol, regular medical check-up can help avert osteopenia.

What is Hernia?

The term Hernia means displacement of the organ from its original position or protrusion of the organ from the muscular wall.

The most common hernia develops in the abdomen. When the abdominal wall becomes weak through which the fat tissue and the abdominal organs may protrude. The other common hernia is hiatal hernia when stomach is displaced upward or protrudes through the esophageal opening (food pipe).