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most common type of arthritis, osteoarthritis (also known as degenerative
joint disease) strikes over 16 million Americans, and is a major cause
of disability among older individuals. Typically osteoarthritis presents
as pain, stiffness, or swelling in joints such as the hip, hand, and
knee or spine, but it may affect other joints as well. Women run a
higher risk of developing osteoarthritis than men, and other risk
factors include heredity, excess weight, joint injury, and hormonal
imbalances.1 Although
many people associate osteoarthritis with the "natural"
wear and tear of joint cartilage, there are actually a variety of
physiological factors that play an important role in the prevention,
monitoring, and treatment of this condition. Recently, investigators
have strongly emphasized the importance of working to undo actual
degenerative mechanisms in the body rather than simply treating
symptoms with anti-inflammatory drugs or analgesics.
The
following GSDL assessments offer important clinical insight into
the dysfunctional mechanisms underlying the development and progression
of osteoarthritis. For more information click on link below:
Osteoarthritis
and Bone Resorption: Two collagen crosslinks measured
in the urine assess the impact of osteoarthritis upon bone tissue.
Osteoarthritis
and IGF-1 Assessment: Insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1)
is crucial for maintaining the structural integrity of bone cartilage.
Osteoarthritis
and Menopause: Many researchers believe that osteoarthritis
in women is triggered by hormonal imbalances in the period following
menopause.
Osteoarthritis
and Oxidative Stress: Free radicals often mediate the
destruction of joint tissue characteristic of osteoarthritis.
Osteoarthritis
and Fatty Acids: Inflammatory processes in osteoarthritis
can be severely exacerbated by fatty acid imbalances.
Osteoarthritis
and Cardiovascular Health: Osteoarthritis places individuals
at greater risk for heart disease. A new biomarker, C-reactive protein,
serves as an early warning marker for both osteoarthritis and heart
disease.
Osteoarthritis
and Amino Acids: The building blocks of protein, amino
acids are crucial for optimal health of the musculoskeletal system.
Osteoarthritis
and Gastrointestinal Health: Chronic use of NSAIDS to
treat osteoarthritis can severely damage the gastrointestinal mucosa.
References:
1 Brandt K, Doherty M, Lohmander L, eds. Osteoarthritis. Oxford:
Oxford University Press, 1998.
All
lab tests can be done through the mail in the privacy of your own
home, except blood tests, we send you to a lab to have your blood
drawn for these. After you pay for the test we mail you the kit,
the results take two weeks, the test results will be mailed to us
and we will call you to go over the results, its that easy! All
tests include the consultation for the report of findings.
Click
on area of interest on the right for more information
Call
our office for details. 800-956-7083 OR 818-707-3126.
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