Osteoporosis - the Key Facts

Osteoporosis is a condition in which the bones of the body, for example hips, spine or arms become thin, brittle and liable to fracture. The risk of fracture increases with age and is now the most common bone disease affecting the western world.

It is a condition which affects I in 3 women and I in 12 men by the age of 70.

It is known as the 'silent disease' with an individual being unaware of the condition until a fracture occurs. Fractures of the hip or spine can result in pain, loss of mobility, decrease in height, or humped back, sometimes resulting in extended hospitalisation and severe reduction in an individual's quality of life. Taking measures to prevent the condition becoming established is far more successful than treating the ailment.

Ultrasound Technology

Ultrasound is a scanning technique which has been used for many years in hospitals as a safe means of measuring internal body structure without using potentially harmful X-rays.

The machine we use to assess fracture risk was developed in 1984 and is called the 'Cubaclinical'. The scan is quick and simple, requiring only your bare foot to be placed on a footplate that is connected to a computer for data processing. To assess the risk of hip fracture, ultrasound waves are passed through the heel bone of the foot which is a weight bearing bone on the same axis as the hip. As the ultrasound wave passes through the bone its passage will be altered depending on the bone density and structure. The reading obtained is called BUA (Broadband Ultrasound Attenuation). The whole procedure takes less than five minutes, and you will be told whether you have an above, below or average reading for your age and whether you are at low, medium or high risk of fracture compared to a healthy 20-year-old. With your consent the results will be forwarded to your GP.

The charge for the scan is £20 (or £15 concessionary rate for the unemployed, full-time students or the over 65s). For Clinic times and to book an osteoporosis scan, please call 020 7435 7830.

The DEXA Scan

Currently the most commonly used diagnostic scan uses X-rays and is called DEXA (Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry). This test can be conducted on the whole body or just the spine and hip and provides a measure of bone density. Although ultrasound screening for osteoporosis is relatively new, a number of studies indicate that BUA predicts the risk of hip fracture as well as DEXA. While BUA correlates best with hip fracture risk it also relates to spine fracture.

Natural prevention of Osteoporosis

• Exercise

  Engage in regular weight bearing exercise such as walking (this must be adapted with care to the individual's health circumstances). There is some evidence that non-weight bearing exercise such as swimming, may alsoahve a positive effect by stimulating the muscle attachments to bone.
  

• Food & Drink

  Eat a well balanced diet, including:
  plenty of fresh fruit, vegetables, fish, wholemeal bread
  unprocessed foods
  ensure you have sufficient calcium,magnesium, vitamin D and zinc
  restrict excessive protein
  restrict salt and caffeine
  only drink alcohol in moderation
  

• Stop smoking

Naturopathic Osteopathy and Osteoporosis

Additional consultations

Naturopathic, or holistic, osteopathy addresses the whole person by linking mental well-being, the body's structure and its biochemistry (nutrition) and is based on the principle that the body has the power to heal itself if given the right support. Naturopathic osteopathy can assist in the treatment of many conditions including osteoporosis.

Naturopathic osteopaths can give expert advice on nutrition, lifestyle and exercise, all of which are key elements both in the natural prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. In addition to just treating a condition, naturopathic osteopaths play an educational role too, finding the cause of the problem and advising on how to avoid recurrence of the complaint.

Having received an osteoporosis scan, you are invited to make an appointment in the clinic for more detailed advice on diet, exercise and lifestyle which will be tailored to your individual needs. Consultation and treatments will be with a third or fourth year student of Naturopathy and Osteopathy under the supervision of a qualified Osteopath. The consultation lasts approximately one hour and costs £10. For those patients shown to be at risk there will be no charge.

Please ensure when making this appointment that you indicate to the receptionist that it is for a consultation following an osteoporosis scan.

Your session will be assisted if you complete a 7-day diet diary prior to attendance (forms are available at Clinic reception).

(Some women lose bone at a faster or slower rate compared to the average and therefore repeat scans every 1 to 5 years depending on risk are desirable.)