Newsletter: April 2007

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Healthy Aging: Preventing and Treating Osteoporosis

By Larry Smith Platinum Quality Author

What are the key issues facing both seniors and our aging baby boomers today? I recently spoke to a diverse group of the aging population about three distinct and common problems facing them. These common yet serious problems are:

Osteoporosis Falls Adverse Drug Reactions

For each condition, I defined and reviewed the problem, went though a case history and then finally gave them practical action steps to solve the problem.

The topic for Part 1 is the all too prevalent and but highly preventable Osteoporosis. A simple but accurate definition of osteoporosis is: A decrease in bone mass and bone density resulting in an increased risk and/or incidence of fracture.

We all know that dietary intake of calcium is extremely important. However, it is the absorption of calcium that is even more significant.

To illustrate the many important facets of osteoporosis, I will proceed through the 40 year case study of a woman named Pauline.

At the age of 40, Pauline was very active and healthy and worked part time at an office. She had two school-aged children and always prepared well- balanced meals for her family. She could be seen moving around her community so quickly that the neighbors called Pauline “The Road Runner”.

Between the ages of 40 and 50, Pauline developed stomach and bowel problems. These conditions are very important in this case as she was later diagnosed with Celiac disease. Although she ate well, the calcium in her diet was not being absorbed. After Pauline underwent bladder repair surgery she began to experience fatigue and joint pain.

She was prescribed NSAIDS for the joint pain for over two years. What are NSAIDS? In my presentation, I had four of the participants blurt out in unison, “non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.” (Examples of NSAIDS are Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Naproxen, and Celebrex.) These drugs helped a bit, but Pauline still had lots of aches and pains and her stomach problems became worse. The stomach discomfort became so bad that she started to develop a duodenal ulcer.

After Pauline was diagnosed with Celiac disease, she continued to experience very sore joints and muscles. At the request of her son, she went to see a chiropractor.

The chiropractor took Xrays and discovered that she had osteoporosis, osteoarthritis and scoliosis.

At the time Pauline was developing osteoporosis, there was no such thing as a bone density test. If she and her doctors had known about the osteoporosis, much pain, disability and loss of function could have been avoided.

Since Pauline’s osteoporosis was not detected in time she developed the following ailments and conditions:

• Weakening of the bones
• Compression fracture of the thoracic spine (mid back)
• Scoliosis
• Aggravation of existing osteoarthritis
• Daily pain
• Loss of function and mobility
• Walking became extremely difficult and she eventually required the use of a walker, cane and wheelchair

The reason I am so familiar with the details of this case is that Pauline is my mother.

How many of your mothers have a similar story?

When should we start checking Bone Density? It is my opinion that we should routinely start checking for osteoporosis in women before menopause. I also believe men should be tested for bone density once they reach middle age.

Osteoporosis Facts:

• One in two women and one in eight men over age 50 will have an osteoporosis-related fracture in their lifetime.
• While osteoporosis is often thought of as an older person's disease, it can strike at any age.
• The prevalence of osteoporosis in Canada is about 16% in women age 50 years or older and approximately 6.5% in men.
• For the most part it is preventable!

• Get your daily recommended amounts of calcium and vitamin D
• Engage in regular weight-bearing exercise
• Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol
• Talk to your healthcare provider about bone health
• Have a bone density test and take medication and supplements when appropriate

OFFICE OFFERINGS:

Free!!! Two-Week Free Trial certificates for the Fitness Connection in our office. (No more excuses!)

FREE!!!! At our office -- Pocket or pouch-sized pamphlets on simple pre-golf stretches.

* FREE!!! Come in or call the office to get: "The Chiropractic Consumer's Report" a booklet that tells us what we need to know before and about choosing a Doctor of Chiropractic.

* FREE!!! The Fitness Prescription DVD: The DVD that Dr. Larry has produced is available at the office. Come in and get your copy of "The Fitness Prescription" or you may download it from our website home page

+ ONLY AT OUR OFFICE - Dr. Larry is certified in the Graston Technique and for the past two years has been having remarkable success in treating soft tissue injuries that have not responded to other therapies. Do you or someone you know suffer from soft-tissue injury? Tendonitis, carpal-tunnel, bursitis, plantar fasciitis? Many, many of our patients have had amazing results with the Graston Technique® designed especially for soft-tissue damage and used by many sports teams including the Olympics. Check out the information about GT on our website by clicking here. Call today for a consultation.

* LENDING LIBRARY - You are welcome to take out on loan from our library the sports medicine book that Dr. Larry co-authored "Inside The Minds: The Art and Science of Sports Medicine". We also have a variety of other books, cd's, and DVD's available for loan.

OFFICE REQUESTS:

Contact the office:
Dr. Larry Smith D.C., B.P.E.
Chiropractor

P.O. Box 307
255 Island Highway
Parksville, British Columbia
Canada V9P 2G5