Bone Health & Osteoporosis
At Friends Medical Service, we take great pride in delivering exemplary Bone Health & Osteoporosis Clinics within a nurturing and inviting environment. Located in Lurgan, our clinic provides a tranquil setting where patients can trust in the expertise and compassion of our seasoned Consultants.
Whether you are a recipient of NHS or private sector care, our commitment remains unwavering to deliver the utmost standard of service. Equipped with cutting-edge technology, our clinic ensures precision and proficiency in every procedure we undertake.
Our amiable and well-informed staff will accompany you through each stage of your journey, ensuring your comfort and tranquillity from the moment you enter our doors.
For unparalleled Bone Health care, trust Friends Medical Service. We are dedicated to assisting you in achieving optimal well-being, both internally and externally.
Useful Information
What to expect at your initial consultation?
If you are at risk of osteoporosis, your initial consultation will probably be with an osteoporosis consultant. Your consultant will start by taking a detailed medical history and performing a short physical examination to look for osteoporosis. To look for disorders that could lead to bone loss, they might also perform blood and urine tests on you. A doctor will also consider any risk factors and family history. Your doctor will likely recommend a bone densitometry or DEXA (dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry) scan, also known as a bone density test or bone mineral density scan if they suspect you have osteoporosis or are at risk of developing it. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, a form of X-ray, is used for bone density scanning (DEXA).. It measures the density of the bones in your wrists, hips, or spine using DEXA. These three regions are particularly prone to osteoporosis. You lie on a comfortable surface during this painless examination as a scanner moves over your body. Typically, only a few bones – usually the hip and spine – are examined. This painless test can take from 10 to 30 minutes.
What is osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis means “porous bones”. Osteoporosis is a medical condition that weakens bones, making them brittle and more likely to break. It can take years to slowly develop and is commonly only discovered after a bone breaks due to a fall or other unexpected impact. People with osteoporosis are at risk of fractures (broken bones) when performing everyday tasks like standing or walking. The ribs, hips, wrist, and spinal bones are the most often impacted bones.
Can I help prevent osteoporosis?
A good balanced diet and regular weight-bearing exercise can help to strengthen bones and prevent osteoporosis.
Who is most at risk of osteoporosis?
- Nursing/residential home residents
- Housebound older people
- Post-menopausal women
- Those who have already had a fracture.
- Those on steroid tablets
What are the risk factors?
- Smoking
- Drinking more than 2 units of alcohol per day
- A family history of osteoporosis or hip fracture
- Certain chronic medical conditions
- Being underweight
- Taking little or no physical exercise