Osteoporosis is a chronic bone condition in which there is loss of bone mass density that results in low trauma or low impact fractures. In other words, with very little pressure or contact an individual can have a bone fracture that requires medical attention.
Unfortunately, although most bone fractures are not life threatening, individuals who suffer from a bone fracture as a result of osteoporosis have a risk of up to 20% of dying within the first year.
The diagnosis of osteoporosis is essential in order to begin adequate treatment and preventative recommendations for measures to decrease bone mass density loss. Physicians will use a DXA, or Dual Energy X-ray Absorptionmetry, which is considered the gold standard for diagnosis of osteoporosis.
This Taoist evaluates the bone mineral density and compares it to a new reference sample for any person of the same gender and the same age. The value must be less than or equal to 2.5 standard deviations below that of the reference sample. This number is translated into a T-score. The World Health Organization has established diagnostic guidelines for the T. score and believes that a score that is 1.0 were greater is considered normal, between 1.0 and 2.5 is low bone mass and 2.5 or below is the criteria for the diagnosis of osteoporosis.
Many individuals are not diagnosed with osteoporosis until they have already had a fracture. Unfortunately, those who have suffered a bone fracture are four times more likely to have another one as another person of the same age and bone densities who has not yet suffered a bone fracture. The diagnostic term for an individual who has suffered a fracture as a result of a low trauma events is “severe or established osteoporosis”.
Another tool a physician may use in the diagnosis of osteoporosis is urine or serum NTx. This is a measurement of a byproduct of bone and cartilage breakdown which can occur in the blood or urine. The value you the physician look fat will represent a dynamic measure of bone re-absorption. This past can be done easily in the office, or at the lab, and the results are usually ready within five minutes. I urine score of greater than 40 may indicate the physician that the individual suffers from osteoporosis.
The physician will also do a thorough physical examination of the individual as well as an extensive medical history. The physical exam will begin with an inspection and accurate height measurements. This accurate height measurement will be done using a stadiometer, which is an electric measurement tool using electronic capacitor sensors.
Some women will present with the dour jurors,, which results from Bertie broke compression fractures and presents as a thoracic kyphosis or exaggerated cervical lordosis. After each for two you broke compression fracture the individuals height can decreased by two to 3 cm.
During the physical examination the physician will percuss the spinal processes (tap on the spinal processes in the back) which is helpful diagnosing acute or subacute vertebral compression fractures. During this examination they will also look for passive range of motion to determine whether the spine, hip, wrist or other bony pathology may be present. Doctors will also attempt to rule out spinal or peripheral nerve compromise through a neurological examination.
During the diagnosis process doctors must rule out primary osteoporosis versus secondary osteoporosis. Individuals who suffer from primary osteoporosis are usually postmenopausal women year regardless of age while secondary osteoporosis happens to individuals from another disease states such as genetic, hormonal or inflammatory processes which impact either the manufacture or breakdown of bone cells.
As in the other disease processes early diagnoses will allow earlier treatment and preventative measures that can decrease the risk of an individual sustaining fractures. It will also prevent the frailties which is the primary reason older adults live out their latter years in a nursing home.
Mountain Rose Herbs is where we recommend you purchase all of your organic, wild crafted bulk herbs, spices, teas and pure,organic essential oils!
Would you like to learn the healing art of Aromatherapy, Color/Crystal Therapy or Reflexology? Become an Aromatherapy Practitioner, Color, Crystal Practitioner, or a practitioner of Reflexology through the certification home study and distance-learning courses at Alternative Healing Academy!
Learn more about Xtend-Life – Micro-Nutriments – The elite of natural supplements. Love life, Live Longer!
For Guaranteed, Effective, 100% Natural Herbal Remedies , please visit Native Remedies
Are you looking for quality vitamins, diet aids and health supplements? Visit the Health Supplement Shop – highly recommended by NHH!