Osteopenia

I have it, apparently, according to the bone densometry test I had this morning. And, frankly, it's not particularly surprising given my maternal grandmother's severe osteoporosis -- which initiated the test in the first place because I'm really not of the age for it.

What does this mean? Not a whole lot. Oh, I met five of the eleven risk factors and I'm affected by three other proposed "causes" of osteoporosis: cola intake and regular use of inhaled steroids among them. Cutting back on the cola is probably a good idea. Doing the same for the inhaled steroids probably isn't because I need to breathe. I spent some time today between frantic calls on a project reading up on treatment methodologies. And, again, there isn't much to do at this level except increase my calcium and Vitamin D intake and exercise more (shut up Gunthar). I did find it interesting, however, that a symptom of bone loss is lower back pain -- something that I have been dealing with for the last two years.

It could be worse, I suppose. Every other test from this annual exam came back normal and, if I can keep from catching G's cold, I'm fairly healthy.