Most of us think about our hair, our teeth, our skin, even muscles but who gives a second thought to their skeleton? It is not on show and we assume it will last us a lifetime. But be careful, bone is alive and needs nurturing and looking after as much as the rest of our bodies.
What is osteoporosis?
Our bones comprise a thick outer shell with an inside looking like honeycomb, made up of collagen, calcium salts and other minerals. From birth onwards our bones are constantly changing. Old bone is broken down by osteoclats and new bone built by cells called osteoblasts. As a child we will replace our skeleton every tow years but as an adult this reduces to every seven to ten years.
At around the age of 30-35 the fine balance between bone breakdown and bone formation begins to deteriorate. Bone loss becomes part of the natural aging process. The following are just some of the factors that affect bone replacement and can bring about premature bone loss;
- low body weight;
- early menopause or hysterectomy;
- low levels of testosterone;
- smoking;
- high alcohol or caffeine intake;
- high consumption of carbonated drinks;
- eating or bowel disorders;
- too little or too much exercise;
- pollution;
- medicines such as steroids, thyroid hormone, anti-convulsants, and antacids; and
- diet low in calcium, vitamin D and magnesium.
As bone density decreases the holes in the honeycomb structure become larger, the bones become weaker and more likely to break, leading to Osteoporosis, or ‘porous bones’. Certainly many younger men and women are now developing Osteoporosis.
How widespread is Osteoporosis?
Known as ‘the silent disease’, sufferers are often unaware of the condition until a fracture occurs but Osteoporosis is now affecting 1 in 3 women and 1 in 12 men in Britain and this figure is rising by more that 10% each year. The cost to the NHS had risen from some £400 million in 1994 to more than £1.7 billion by 2000.
Early detection is critical as osteoporosis cannot be cured and it is therefore very important to take steps to prevent the disease. Patients identified as being at risk could benefit from a program of improved diet, exercise and supplements or medication designed to reduce, stop further loss, or even increase, bone mass.
So what is it you could do to help yourself?
Ultrasound Heel Technology
It is now possible to gain important information about your bone health by having an ultrasound test. Invented in Britain in 1984 the ultrasound scanner using Broadband Ultrasound Attenuation (“BUA”), has been clinically proven to accurately predict future Osteoporotic fracture. It is quick, painless, relatively cheap, radiation free and therefore entirely safe.
The heel is used as the measurement site as, like the hip, it consists, almost entirely, of trabecular bone (95%) and it is therefore the best site for prediction of hip fracture. BUA provides information on, not only the density and structure of your bones but also assesses your bone strength (structure, elasticity), which is important for determining fracture risk. Extensive independent research by the Lancet, Osteoporosis International and numerous others has shown that a BUA reading will predict your future fracture risk much as a cholesterol test predicts the risk of heart disease.
The results can be invaluable to many people. For example many women could make an informed decision on how best to deal with their menopause with an accurate assessment of their bone density and those with a family history of osteoporosis could establish if they have inherited a problem and where necessary begin a course of preventative measures.
How is the test carried out?
To take the measurement, you will only be required to remove your footwear and sit down. The technician applies a small amount of gel to both sides of your heel and positions your foot in the machine. The transducers, which send and receive the ultrasonic sound wave, then lightly grip both sides of your heel. The actual measurement takes less than two minutes, a report is printed immediately and the technician will explain your results.
The report is presented graphically and draws on a large database of information to compare your results both to those of other people of your age and sex and to those of typical, young, healthy people of your sex with peak bone mass. The graph, which is colour coded, plots the course your bones are set to take as you get older.
Some consultations will also offer advice after the test on diet, exercise and supplements. Generally any person found to have a low result would be encouraged to seek further advice from a therapist or GP. The system can also be used to monitor your response to any regime for improving bone density.