Osteoarthritis and Life Insurance Rates and Prices
The discovery of osteoporosis
does not usually affect a person’s insurability.
 Osteoporosis is the most common type
of bone disease and it poses a major health threat to 28
million Americans. An
estimated 10 million Americans have osteoporosis and the
other 18 million have low bone mass, a condition known as
osteopenia, which may lead to osteoporosis. Osteoporosis
affects men as well as women, however, one out of five American
women over the age of 50 develop osteoporosis. Approximately
half of all women over the age of 50 will suffer a fracture
of the hip, wrist or vertebra (bones of the spine) because
women have less bone tissue and lose bone more rapidly than
men due to menopause. Small, thin boned women, Caucasian
and Asian women are at greatest risk for developing the disease. In
most cases, osteoporosis will prevent a person from accessing
life insurance.
Other related medical conditions (or medical terminology) include Osteoporosis, Degenerative Bone Disease, Bone Density Problems. Read below for more information about Osteoporosis and receiving a life insurance quote from a life insurance specialist.
Cracks in Your Body’s
Framework
Osteoporosis is a disease characterized
by low bone mass and deterioration of bone tissue. It occurs
when the body fails to form enough new bone, or when too
much old bone is reabsorbed by the body. Calcium
and phosphate are the two minerals that are essential for
normal bone growth. As
a youth, if you did not get enough calcium or if your body
did not absorb enough from your diet, your bone production
and bone tissues may have suffered in silence. As
you age, your body may reabsorb the calcium and phosphate
from the bones back into the body, which weakens bone tissue
and causes bones to become brittle and fragile.
There are few symptoms of osteoporosis
in its early stages for bone loss occurs silently and over
the course of years. By the time osteoporosis is discovered,
it is usually in advanced stages and damage is severe. Many
people learn that they have the disease when they suffer
a break or fracture. Some people may develop bone pain
or tenderness; notice a loss of height or stooped posture
or experience low back or neck pain that leads them to
seek medical help. Upon examination, they may be surprised
to learn that the pain is due to fractures of their spinal
bones.
Does Everyone Develop Osteoporosis As They Age?
Osteoporosis is not an inevitable. Lifelong
healthy habits and that include taking calcium supplements,
performing weight-bearing exercise; taking hormone replacement
therapy (when necessary) and eating a healthy diet (particularly
foods with calcium and vitamin D) can help minimize the risk
of developing osteoporosis later in life.
Hormone loss is the leading cause
of osteoporosis. A
drop in estrogen at the time of menopause for women or a
drop in testosterone for men of the same age weakens bones.
A person with a family history of the disease, extensive
inactivity or bed rest, hyperthyroidism or hyperparathyroidism,
who smokes cigarettes or excessively uses alcohol, is also
at risk for developing osteoporosis. Individuals
who have excess corticosteroid levels due to on-going use
of medicines for asthma, certain forms of arthritis or
skin diseases, as well as chronic pulmonary obstruction
disease (COPD), are also at risk. Other factors
including early menopause, absence of menstrual periods
(amenorrhea), eating disorders, low body weight and too
little calcium in the diet contribute to risk of developing
this condition.
Before Bones Become Brittle and Break
The National Osteoporosis Foundation
recommends bone mineral density testing, densitometry or
DEXA scan, for all women over the age of 65 as well as
for others who have risk factors for bone loss other than
menopause. A CT of the spine
can also reveal loss of bone mineral density as can quantitative
computed tomography (QCT), but a DEXA scan is less expensive
and is considered the standard for osteoporosis evaluation. Simple
X-rays of bones are not the most accurate method for predicting
osteoporosis, although in severe cases, they may reveal fractures
or the collapse of spinal bones.
Osteoporosis and Insurability
Except in unusually severe or debilitating
cases, clients with osteoporosis are usually insurable
on some basis. Providing
information about your bone health, using bone density scan
reports and documentation of how you are able to function
in daily life, will be helpful for an insurer. The
health history should include date of diagnosis, injuries,
falls and medications.
How
Can MEG Financial Help?
At MEG Financial, we have worked with many
individuals across the country that have had related
histories and have helped many obtain fairly priced life
insurance. A number of these clients previously attempted
to buy life insurance elsewhere but were either turned down
or asked to pay a significantly higher rate. Our experience
helping others with related problems is invaluable
to you in identifying the insurance company that will treat
you most fairly.
For more specific information or to obtain
a custom quote, call MEG Financial today at (877) 583-3955.
You may also submit this short form and an independent insurance
agent will personally contact you to go over any questions
or other concerns.
 Related
Links for Osteoporosis
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