It was then that I knew I had to do something to strengthen my bones to avoid the other debilitating characteristics that come with the disease. At the same time, I began a search for the reasons I developed osteoporosis. After all, I didn’t have a small frame and I wasn’t in one of the higher-risk ethnic groups
Read More..
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Friday, July 23, 2010
Next Generation Of Heart Stents-Interventional Cardiologists Reduce Risk Of Stents By Magnetizing Endothelial Cells
Interventional Cardiologists Reduce Risk Of Stents By Magnetizing Endothelial Cells
Interventional cardiologists used magnetic particles to accelerate the process of healing after the placement of a stent. To do this, they extract cells from the interior of a patient's blood vessels, cultivate them, and insert iron-based paramagnetic particles into the cells...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/videos/2008/1204-next_generation_of_heart_stents.htm
Interventional cardiologists used magnetic particles to accelerate the process of healing after the placement of a stent. To do this, they extract cells from the interior of a patient's blood vessels, cultivate them, and insert iron-based paramagnetic particles into the cells...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/videos/2008/1204-next_generation_of_heart_stents.htm
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Surgeon General: Act now, as we know more than enough.
While genetic factors play a significant role in determining bone mass, controllable
lifestyle factors such as diet and physical activitycan mean the difference between a frail
and strong skeleton.
There is much that individuals can do to promote their own bone health, beginning in
childhood and continuing into old age. These activities contribute not only to bone health,
but to overall health and vitality.
While much valuable work is already underway, more needs to be done to change the
perception that osteoporosis is an inevitable part of aging. On the contrary, like heart
disease, it needs to be thought of as a preventable chronic disease, the roots of which begin at a fairly young age even though symptoms may not manifest until later in life.
Recommendations:
lifestyle factors such as diet and physical activitycan mean the difference between a frail
and strong skeleton.
There is much that individuals can do to promote their own bone health, beginning in
childhood and continuing into old age. These activities contribute not only to bone health,
but to overall health and vitality.
While much valuable work is already underway, more needs to be done to change the
perception that osteoporosis is an inevitable part of aging. On the contrary, like heart
disease, it needs to be thought of as a preventable chronic disease, the roots of which begin at a fairly young age even though symptoms may not manifest until later in life.
Recommendations:
- Proper nutrients - from a well-balanced diet containing a variety of foods including grains, fruits and vegetables, nonfat or lowfat dairy products or other calcium-rich foods, and meat or beans each day.
- Vitamin D -available in supplementsfor those unable to get enough through sunshine and diet.
- Physical activity - 30 minutes a day for adults and 60 minutes for children as well as specific strength- and weight-bearing activities critical to building and maintaining, bone mass throughout life.
- See a health care provider if they have a medical condition or use medications that can affect the skeleton. Women should also see their health care provider if menstrual periods stop for 3 months.
Surgeon Generals Report Encourages Individuals and Families to Take Action
Because many individuals may not realize that they are at risk of bone disease and may not take action (e.g., begin engaging in physical activity) until they are motivated to do so,
individuals and families need to:
• Educate themselves on the importance of
bone health and to recognize that bone health
is a lifelong issue and that osteoporosis is not
just a women’s disease.
• Set the stage during infancy, childhood, and
adolescence for their children to have healthy
bones throughout their lives.
• Encourage their middle-aged and elderly
parents to take actions to maintain healthy
bones and to prevent bone disease and fractures
later in life.
• Recognize that, regardless of their age, gender,
or racial and ethnic background, they
are at risk of getting bone disease and therefore
should consider making a lifelong commitment
to doing what is necessary (e.g.,
getting adequate nutrition and physical activity)
to maintain strong bones. Doctors cannot
do this for their individual patients, although
health care professionals clearly have
a role in encouraging their patients to adopt
bone-healthy behaviors.
Read Report
individuals and families need to:
• Educate themselves on the importance of
bone health and to recognize that bone health
is a lifelong issue and that osteoporosis is not
just a women’s disease.
• Set the stage during infancy, childhood, and
adolescence for their children to have healthy
bones throughout their lives.
• Encourage their middle-aged and elderly
parents to take actions to maintain healthy
bones and to prevent bone disease and fractures
later in life.
• Recognize that, regardless of their age, gender,
or racial and ethnic background, they
are at risk of getting bone disease and therefore
should consider making a lifelong commitment
to doing what is necessary (e.g.,
getting adequate nutrition and physical activity)
to maintain strong bones. Doctors cannot
do this for their individual patients, although
health care professionals clearly have
a role in encouraging their patients to adopt
bone-healthy behaviors.
Read Report
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Surgeon General Report - Intent to bring awareness to public
A major message of this Surgeon General’s
report is that the bone health status of Americans
can be improved. Many of the physical,
emotional, and financial costs of bone disease and
fractures can be avoided. However, much of
what could be done to reduce this burden is not
being done today, largely due to a lack of
awareness of the problem and the failure to apply
current knowledge. In fact, many in the public
and even the medical community believe that
osteoporosis, by far the most common bone
disease, is a natural, unavoidable consequence
of aging. This view must be changed. The intent
of this Surgeon General’s report is to serve as a
catalyst for the development of a public health
approach to promoting bone health.
Read more
report is that the bone health status of Americans
can be improved. Many of the physical,
emotional, and financial costs of bone disease and
fractures can be avoided. However, much of
what could be done to reduce this burden is not
being done today, largely due to a lack of
awareness of the problem and the failure to apply
current knowledge. In fact, many in the public
and even the medical community believe that
osteoporosis, by far the most common bone
disease, is a natural, unavoidable consequence
of aging. This view must be changed. The intent
of this Surgeon General’s report is to serve as a
catalyst for the development of a public health
approach to promoting bone health.
Read more
Preventing Falls
Preventing falls is important at any age, but it is especially important for those who have osteoporosis because their bones are more fragile and easily broken.
Each year, about one-third of individuals 65 years of age or older will fall, and some will be disabled by the broken bones that can follow.
Medications
In many cases, a fall can be precipitated by medications such as sedatives, muscle relaxants, and blood pressure drugs that can cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or loss of balance. When two or more medications are used in combination, these side effects may be aggravated. Falls also result from diminished vision, hearing, muscle strength, coordination, and reflexes and from diseases that affect balance.
This safety checklist can help you eliminate many common household hazards:
Floors. Remove all loose wires, cords, and throw rugs. Minimize clutter. Make sure rugs are anchored and smooth. Keep furniture in its accustomed place.
Bathrooms. Install grab bars and non-skid tape in the tub or shower.
Lighting. Make sure halls, stairways, and entrances are well lit. Install a night light in your bathroom. Turn lights on if you get up in the middle of the night.
Kitchen. Install non-skid rubber mats near sink and stove. Clean spills immediately.
Stairs. Make sure treads, rails, and rugs are secure.
Other precautions. Wear sturdy, rubber-soled shoes. Keep your intake of alcoholic beverages to a minimum. Ask your doctor whether any of your medications might cause you to fall.
http://www.nof.org/patientinfo/fall_prevention.htm
Each year, about one-third of individuals 65 years of age or older will fall, and some will be disabled by the broken bones that can follow.
Medications
In many cases, a fall can be precipitated by medications such as sedatives, muscle relaxants, and blood pressure drugs that can cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or loss of balance. When two or more medications are used in combination, these side effects may be aggravated. Falls also result from diminished vision, hearing, muscle strength, coordination, and reflexes and from diseases that affect balance.
This safety checklist can help you eliminate many common household hazards:
Floors. Remove all loose wires, cords, and throw rugs. Minimize clutter. Make sure rugs are anchored and smooth. Keep furniture in its accustomed place.
Bathrooms. Install grab bars and non-skid tape in the tub or shower.
Lighting. Make sure halls, stairways, and entrances are well lit. Install a night light in your bathroom. Turn lights on if you get up in the middle of the night.
Kitchen. Install non-skid rubber mats near sink and stove. Clean spills immediately.
Stairs. Make sure treads, rails, and rugs are secure.
Other precautions. Wear sturdy, rubber-soled shoes. Keep your intake of alcoholic beverages to a minimum. Ask your doctor whether any of your medications might cause you to fall.
http://www.nof.org/patientinfo/fall_prevention.htm
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Fluoride in Black Tea May Pose Health Risks
If you are a huge fan of black tea, you may be consuming more fluoride than is healthful. Researchers at the Medical College of Georgia found that individuals who drink large amounts of black tea may be getting much higher concentrations of fluoride than previously believed.
Dr. Gary Whitford, Regents Professor of oral biology in the School of Dentistry, notes that the increased risk appears to be associated with people who drink one or more gallons of black tea daily for a prolonged period of time. Previous studies have indicated that black tea contains 1 to 5 milligrams of fluoride per liter, but new research indicates that one liter may contain as much as 9 milligrams. People who ingest about 20 milligrams daily for more than 10 years face a significant risk to bone health.
Read more
Dr. Gary Whitford, Regents Professor of oral biology in the School of Dentistry, notes that the increased risk appears to be associated with people who drink one or more gallons of black tea daily for a prolonged period of time. Previous studies have indicated that black tea contains 1 to 5 milligrams of fluoride per liter, but new research indicates that one liter may contain as much as 9 milligrams. People who ingest about 20 milligrams daily for more than 10 years face a significant risk to bone health.
Read more
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Low Vitamin D Levels and Cognitive Impairment
NHANES Findings
Vitamin D was once just of interest in bone health, but recent work has suggested low vitamin D levels may be a risk factor for a wide range of age-associated diseases, Dr. Llewellyn said, including cancer, hypertension, stroke, and more recently, cognitive decline.
It is known that vitamin D crosses the blood–brain barrier and that receptors for vitamin D are found across the brain, but its precise role is still not known, Dr. Llewellyn noted. It does seem to play a role in processes that may be important for dementia risk, including vascular health and amyloid clearance from the brain. Given these associations, he noted, it seems "biologically plausible" that there might be an association of low vitamin D levels with dementia risk and cognitive performance in the general population.
It is estimated that about a billion people worldwide have vitamin D levels considered insufficient (<75 nmol/L). Most of the world's population living in the northern hemisphere does not have sufficient exposure to the sun to produce enough vitamin D, there are few dietary sources, and aging skin loses the ability over time to produce vitamin D. "So it's an enormous public health concern, given its association with an increasingly wide range of age-associated diseases," Dr. Llewellyn said.
Read More...
Vitamin D was once just of interest in bone health, but recent work has suggested low vitamin D levels may be a risk factor for a wide range of age-associated diseases, Dr. Llewellyn said, including cancer, hypertension, stroke, and more recently, cognitive decline.
It is known that vitamin D crosses the blood–brain barrier and that receptors for vitamin D are found across the brain, but its precise role is still not known, Dr. Llewellyn noted. It does seem to play a role in processes that may be important for dementia risk, including vascular health and amyloid clearance from the brain. Given these associations, he noted, it seems "biologically plausible" that there might be an association of low vitamin D levels with dementia risk and cognitive performance in the general population.
It is estimated that about a billion people worldwide have vitamin D levels considered insufficient (<75 nmol/L). Most of the world's population living in the northern hemisphere does not have sufficient exposure to the sun to produce enough vitamin D, there are few dietary sources, and aging skin loses the ability over time to produce vitamin D. "So it's an enormous public health concern, given its association with an increasingly wide range of age-associated diseases," Dr. Llewellyn said.
Read More...
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Monday, July 12, 2010
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Men and Osteoporosis
Think osteoporosis is only an issue for women? Watch this video and learn more about men and osteoporosis...Watch Video
Men And Osteoporosis
Men And Osteoporosis
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
How to tell if you are losing bone without a bone density test
While most doctors tend to monitor bone density with the dual-energy x-ray absorptiomentry (DEXA) test, there is another, less expensive test helpful in determining if you are currently losing bone. This test, called the cross-linked N-teleopeptide (or NTx for short), is a simple urine or blood test known as a "marker of bone resorption." When you lose bone, small fragments of bone protein show up in the urine and blood, and measuring these bone protein fragments gives an indication of rate of bone breakdown. In most cases a high rate of bone breakdown, also known as bone resorption, indicates that there is an ongoing loss of bone mass.
The bone resorption markers most commonly used are the urine NTx osteomark marker and the urine deoxypyridinium cross-links (Dpd). Your physician can order either of these tests. Generally, a score that’s near or even a bit below the premenopausal mean for women, and one near or even a bit below the young adult mean for men, is ideal. In both tests, the higher the number, the greater the likelihood of a more rapid rate of ongoing bone loss
Source: Dr. Susan E. Brown, PhD
The bone resorption markers most commonly used are the urine NTx osteomark marker and the urine deoxypyridinium cross-links (Dpd). Your physician can order either of these tests. Generally, a score that’s near or even a bit below the premenopausal mean for women, and one near or even a bit below the young adult mean for men, is ideal. In both tests, the higher the number, the greater the likelihood of a more rapid rate of ongoing bone loss
Source: Dr. Susan E. Brown, PhD
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Maternal diet affects infant's long-term bone health
(Reuters Health) - Women who maintain a healthy, well-balanced diet during pregnancy have children with bigger and stronger bones than women with poorer quality diets, according to the results of a study presented Tuesday at the National Osteoporosis Society Conference in Manchester, UK.
Read more...
Read more...
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Prevention
PREVENTION
Osteoporosis is a preventable disease for most people, if they take the necessary steps throughout their lives. Contrary to popular belief, osteoporosis is not a disease of old people, and if preventative steps are not taken, bone loss occurs earlier in life, long before symptoms of the disease. Osteoporosis and low bone mass are currently estimated to be a major public health threat for almost 44 million US women and men aged 50 and older. By the year 2010, it is estimated that over 52 million women and men in this same age category will be affected and, if current trends continue, the figure will climb to over 61 million by 2020.
A comprehensive program that can help prevent osteoporosis includes:
a balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamin D
weight-bearing exercise
a healthy lifestyle with no smoking and limited alcohol intake and
bone mineral density testing (BMD Test) and medication when appropriate.
Prevention is important at all ages, however, at the time of menopause, these steps may not be enough without estrogen therapy or other osteoporosis-related medications to protect from bone loss. With menopause, women begin to lose bone mass at an accelerated rate as their estrogen levels fall, and they can lose up to 20 percent of their bone mass in the five to seven years following menopause, placing them at increased risk for osteoporosis.
EARLY DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT
We are in a new era of preventing, detecting and treating this disease. In the past decade, bone density tests, painless diagnostic tests, have become available, in addition to several medications to prevent and treat this disease. Osteoporosis is highly preventable and treatable, especially if caught early, and people with risk factors should ask their doctor about a bone density test.
Read More:
http://www.nof.org/news/pressroom.htm
Osteoporosis is a preventable disease for most people, if they take the necessary steps throughout their lives. Contrary to popular belief, osteoporosis is not a disease of old people, and if preventative steps are not taken, bone loss occurs earlier in life, long before symptoms of the disease. Osteoporosis and low bone mass are currently estimated to be a major public health threat for almost 44 million US women and men aged 50 and older. By the year 2010, it is estimated that over 52 million women and men in this same age category will be affected and, if current trends continue, the figure will climb to over 61 million by 2020.
A comprehensive program that can help prevent osteoporosis includes:
a balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamin D
weight-bearing exercise
a healthy lifestyle with no smoking and limited alcohol intake and
bone mineral density testing (BMD Test) and medication when appropriate.
Prevention is important at all ages, however, at the time of menopause, these steps may not be enough without estrogen therapy or other osteoporosis-related medications to protect from bone loss. With menopause, women begin to lose bone mass at an accelerated rate as their estrogen levels fall, and they can lose up to 20 percent of their bone mass in the five to seven years following menopause, placing them at increased risk for osteoporosis.
EARLY DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT
We are in a new era of preventing, detecting and treating this disease. In the past decade, bone density tests, painless diagnostic tests, have become available, in addition to several medications to prevent and treat this disease. Osteoporosis is highly preventable and treatable, especially if caught early, and people with risk factors should ask their doctor about a bone density test.
Read More:
http://www.nof.org/news/pressroom.htm
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