Archive for September, 2006
Bone up on how to Battle the “Silent Disease”
Monday, September 25th, 2006
Jackie Fitzgerald
As you read this, a ‘silent disease’ could be attacking your bones, thinning them, making them porous and even causing them to break. As many as 400,000 people in Ireland are estimated to be experiencing osteoporosis.
This disease affects one in three women over 50 years of age, and one in five men, even though many people are unaware that they have the condition and only discover it when it is too late.
But osteoporosis is a treatable (and even preventable) disease. Early diagnosis helps, of course, but you should also be proactive and be aware of the risk factors.
Worldwide, millions of people are affected by osteoporosis, which is now six times more prevalent in women than it was in the sixties. So what exactly is it and what can be done to ensure that we don’t become victims of this virulent disease?
Them bones need testing!
Wednesday, September 20th, 2006
Osteoporosis effects one in three women and one in five men over the age of 50 in Ireland. Many people aren’t actually aware that they have the condition because they don’t experience any obvious symptoms.
If you have any risk factors for osteoporosis eg, family history or early menopause, then it’s particularly important that you get a bone density test.
DEXA machines, which carry out the test are available in clinics and hospitals around the country and The Irish Centre of Integrated Medicine in Naas has just introduced a new Quantitative Ultrasound (QUS) testing machine.
While DEXA machines use x-ray (and therefore a low level of radiation), this new machine uses ultra sound.
For more information about osteoporosis and how to avoid it, contact the Irish Centre of Integrated Medicine, St. Johns Grove, Johnstown, Naas, Co. Kildare. Tel: 045 844819. www.icim.ie The test costs €135.00.