If a member of your family is diagnosed with osteoporosis, you are naturally concerned, in the first instance, about the person affected by this disease. Later, however, other concerns will often also start to play on your mind. Is it hereditary? Will I get it too? Can I do anything to reduce the risk?
At iGene we deal with heredity and prevention on a daily basis and help you find answers to these kinds of questions.
Osteoporosis is a condition in which there is a loss of calcium, minerals and structure in the bones. This leads to brittle bones and an increased risk of bone fractures and the collapse of the spinal vertebrae. In older age in particular bone fractures can be a cause of death and invalidity. Osteoporosis is most common in post-menopausal women, as their bodies are hardly producing any more of the hormone oestrogen.
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Genetic predisposition to osteoporosis
Your personal risk of osteoporosis depends on various factors. One of these is your DNA, but environmental factors and lifestyle also play a role, for example. To make a statement about your genetic predisposition, we examine mutations (changes or errors) in your DNA.
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Preventing osteoporosis
Scientists are finding out more and more about ways to reduce the risk of osteoporosis. That means you can take steps yourself to prevent osteoporosis. iGene can help by sharing relevant scientific information with you directly in your iGene Passport.
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Want to reduce your risk of osteoporosis?
An iGene Passport allows you to see straight away whether you have an increased or reduced risk of a large number of hereditary conditions, including osteoporosis. If it becomes apparent that you are at an increased risk of osteoporosis, you will also receive targeted information on how to reduce this risk.
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A healthy lifestyle thanks to your iGene Passport
For as long as your iGene Passport is active you will continue to receive information based on the latest scientific insights. That means that if important discoveries are made in the future that will help you take even more effective steps to prevent osteoporosis, you will be able to benefit from them straight away.