*** We apologize but we no longer are offering this service at Gary's***

8/26/03

Available at Gary’s World of Wellness with the Lunar Achilles Express Test we can help you to access Bone Fracture Risk for Osteopenia and Osteoporosis.

Like other organs in the body, bones are constantly changing.  Throughout childhood and as young adults, bones grow in strength and in size.  Around the age of 30, bones reach their peak strength and then naturally become weaker with age.   Osteoporosis is a condition where bones become weak to the point of breaking.  This weakening may be due to aging, or caused by other factors that combine with age.  Symptoms of osteoporosis do not occur until a lot of bone strength is lost.  The most visible symptoms may include loss of height, along with curvature of the upper back.

Osteoporosis also can result in a crippling and painful fracture, occurring most often in the hip, back or wrist.  

 
Who Is At Risk?  |  Do I have Risk Factors?  |  How does AE work?  |  Test Expectations  |  Safety  |  Information & Results  |  Other Tests  |  More Information  |  Schedule A Screening  |  Cost & Fees  |  Hire Gary's For Onsite Screenings
 

Age is an important risk factor.  Everyone, both men and women, loses bone strength as they grow older.  Women have higher risk for osteoporosis than men do as women often have smaller, thinner frames.  Women also are affected by the change of life, known as menopause.  After menopause, women produce less of a hormone called estrogen.  Estrogen helps protect women against bone loss.

Important risk factors for osteoporosis include;

      ¨     Female
¨     Advanced age
¨     A small thin frame
¨     A family history of osteoporosis
¨     Removal of the ovaries
¨     Early menopause
¨     A low calcium diet
¨     Lack of exercise
¨     Eating disorders
¨     Certain medicines (such as steroids or anticonvulsants)
¨     Alcohol and tobacco use

Osteoporosis is often called the “silent disease”. There are rarely signs until a lot of bone has been lost.  A medical test that measures the amount of bone is the only way to detect osteoporosis.  The Achilles Express ultrasonometer is one such test.  The Achilles Express uses ultrasound to measure the bone status.  Other tests, called x-ray densitometers measure the amount of mineral in bone, such as calcium.  The amount of mineral in bones relates directly to bone strength. 

The Achilles Express test requires a bare foot.  Remove your sock, stocking, or panty hose.  An Achilles Express test takes about 1 minute.  During the test, keep your heel as still as possible for best results. 

The Achilles Express is an aid to doctors in the diagnosis of osteoporosis.  The  Achilles Express test compares your bone quality to that of a “young adult” at peak bone strength.  It also compares your results to people of your same age, call “age-matched”. This information, along with other factors, helps doctors and nutritionist gauge your risk of osteoporotic fracture.  The difference between your result and that of a “young adult” is given as a

T- score.  A T-score of minus one equals a one “standard deviation” decrease from young adult (which is about 10%). A panel of experts at the World Health Organization (WHO) has developed categories that define the amount of bone loss such as:

        Normal: a T-score that is above –1
        Low bone mass: a T-score between –1 and –2.5
        Osteoporotic: a T-score less that –2.5

Your T-score is one factor that your doctor will consider in making a diagnosis.

The Achilles Express is also useful in following bone changes.  The Achilles Express can monitor the affects of age, diet, or treatments on your bone status.  Your doctor may suggest follow-up Achilles Express test to monitor change over time.

What if fracture risk?
Why is it important to me?
The Achilles Express provides information about your own risk of bone fracture in the same way as a cholesterol text indicates risk of a heart attack.  A diagnosis of osteoporosis cannot predict a bone fracture, just as high cholesterol cannot predict a heart attack.  Instead, it means that the risk of having a fracture is higher than that for normal bones.  Achilles Express results combined with other factors give your overall risk of fracture.  Knowing your risk of fracture is important.  There are a number of ways to prevent osteoporosis, and to reduce your risk of fracture.  Your doctor  or nutritionist may suggest a number of steps including exercise, changes in diet, natural hormone replacement therapy, or other supplements known to build bone strength.

The National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) is one of the leading sources of information about osteoporosis and bone measurements.

National Osteporosis Foundation
1150 17^th St. N.W.
Suite 500
Washington, D.C. 20036-4603

(202)223-2226

Website: www.nof.org

An appointment is required for testing;

Please Call 610 539-6727

Schedule with Vicki Wolf
Monday- Friday

          OR

Watch for our Bone Density Screenings scheduled several times throughout the year.

Scheduled Appointments $35.00 (includes $5.00 coupon towards nutritional support supplement).

Screening dates $20.00

Nutritional Consultations for Osteopenia or Osteporosis available by appointment with ; Gary M. Wolf R.Ph., CNHP, CNC