Posts Tagged ‘osteoporosis’

The current issue of the Journal of Craniofacial Surgery reports on a study of bone mineral density in men who used cell phones for extended periods of time. It was noted that men who carried their cell phones on their hips for an average of 15 hours a day had decreased bone mineral density in their hip bone on the side where they carried their phones. The study only included young males (average age 32) so the decrease in bone density wasn’t at the same level as someone with osteoporosis. But, it is an interesting finding which will no doubt continue the ongoing debate on the safety of cell phones. [via Medline Plus]

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I’ve had quite a number of patients come in lately for general check-ups because they will soon be losing their job-sponsored health insurance coverage. I commend them for coming in. After all, late is sometimes better than never. Therefore, for today’s post I’d like to share some tips on things you should consider when your coverage is about to end.

1. Get an annual physical exam, including a skin check for possible skin cancers. It could get pricey should you need a biopsy and subsequent treatment.

2. Get your routine tests done. Those over 50 years of age should get a colonoscopy every 10 years. Women over 40 should have an annual mammogram. Women should also get annual pap smears.

3. Know your numbers: check your blood pressure, cholesterol, basic chemistries, urine analysis.

4. If you’re a smoker, speak to your doctor about ways to help you quit. Quitting smoking greatly reduces your risk of cancers and cardiovascular disease.

5. Ask your doctor about your risk for osteoporosis. In general all women over the age of 65 should get a DEXA bone densitometry scan at least once.

6. Speak to your doctor about weight loss. Keeping your weight under control can reduce your risk of diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, osteoarthritis, and high cholesterol, among a multitude of other diseases.

7. Get a flu shot and update your vaccinations. For adults these may include hepatitis A and B, herpes zoster (shingles), Tdap, chickenpox. If you are aged 65 or older you should have a pneumovax vaccination as well.

8. Refill your medications. Depending on the medicine, it may be possible for your physician to give you more refills. Similarly, if you are diabetic make sure your doctor gives you plenty of refills for glucose testing supplies.

*There are always exceptions to the rules. These are only general guidelines. Speak to your doctor to find out what is appropriate for you.

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A new study from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health reports that low weight and weight loss in middle-aged men could increase the risk of osteoporosis later in life. The researchers hypothesize that weight change can affect the skeleton, as well as the way in which hormones regulate bone metabolism. Although weight increase and elevated weight are beneficial for the skeleton (this is why weight-bearing exercises can strengthen bone and decrease osteoporosis risk), a stable, healthy weight is still recommended as a means for overall good health. Full story.

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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a new dose of the drug Actonel for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis – the thinning of bone tissue and loss of bone density over time, which increases the risk of fractures. The new 150 milligram dose of the drug is the only oral once-a-month therapy approved for the prevention of spinal and non-spinal fractures. In 2002, it was estimated that over 10 million people in the US already have osteoporosis. Approximately 80% of these are women. Full story.

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