Osteoporosis bone
Osteoporosis
Risk Assessment
In the UK, one in every three women and at least
one man in twelve will develop osteoporosis in their lifetime. In post
menopausal women, osteoporosis is actually more common than heart attacks,
strokes, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis or breast cancer.
It is called the ‘silent disease’
because you cannot see or feel your bones losing density. Osteoporosis is characterised by a degenerative thinning of bones, which can
lead to chest pains and fractures. Bone degeneration starts out slowly,
usually around the age of 35, and accelerates in women after menopause,
and in men after the age of 65. Over the age of 60, 30% of women and 10%
of men will have the disease, with half the population over 70 being
affected. British women over 45 suffer approximately 200,000 fractures
annually.
Sufferers frequently
describe a dull uncomfortable, achy feeling,
which is not necessarily localised to any
one area, or chronic back pain with muscle
spasms along one or both sides of the spine.
These pains worsen with sitting and
standing, and are relieved by lying down.
One simple indicator of osteoporosis is a
decrease in height. Another warning sign may
be tooth loss, because gum inflammation can
result from bone degeneration.
Who is
at risk for rapid bone loss ?
- Men and women over 50
- Caucasians
of northern European decent with fair
skin
- Asian
women
- Women
who have gone through early menopause
- All
postmenopausal
women
- All women who have had
hysterectomies
- Heavily exercising
women of all ages
- Women with a family
history of osteoporosis
- Women recently pregnant
or nursing
- Women with thin, petit,
or small frames
- People who use
anti-ulcer medication
- Anorexic
men and women
- Individuals
who embark on prolonged low calorie
dieting
- All people who
inadequately exercise or have a
sedentary occupation
- People who consume
excessive amounts of soft drinks or
caffeine
- Smokers or heavy
alcohol consumers
- Men and
women with
lactose intolerance or dairy allergy
- All people using
steroids
How the test works
A simple urine
sample measures a bone collagen peptide,
which is a marker of current bone remodeling/breakdown activity.
Pricing
To order test go to
Having
a Test
