'brittle bone' risk assessment
A key precaution for everyone over 35
Osteoporosis -brittle bone disease- can affect
men and women of any age and is due to the loss of bone density, leaving
the sufferer prone to breaks and fractures.
Our bones consist of living tissue which is, in normal circumstances,
gradually destroyed and re-formed throughout our lives, ensuring a healthy
bone structure. With osteoporosis, this cycle of replacement and renewal
fails to work correctly. The result is that the sufferers become susceptible
to fractures, particularly of the wrist, spine and hip.
The disease can strike at any age, but it is known that certain people
are particularly prone, including:
Smokers
Post menopausal women
Small bone structured people
People with an excessive alcohol intake
People with low dietary calcium
Those who constantly diet
Families with a history of osteoporosis
Women with low oestrogen
Men with low testosterone
Users of steroid medication
Osteoporosis can be prevented and treated if detected early. A test
for your risk of osteoporosis is highly recommended as a means of avoiding
or at least containing this potentially distressing condition. A simple
early morning urine sample is usually all that is required with the
result usually ready in a few days. This type of home test is not meant
to be used instead of a DXA scan, but can identify if you are at risk
of osteoporosis.
