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Shin Splints Symptoms and Treatments

shin splints treatment

What Are Shin Splints? Despite years of research, the term “shin splints” remains to be an obscure term to many athletes who lack awareness about sports injuries. Although, most studies attribute “shin splints” as the layman’s term for Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome (MTSS), which is an inflammation of the soft tissue surrounding the bone lining … Read more

Quick Cure For Shin Splints

stop shin splints

A quick cure for shin splints can get rid the pain caused by tibial stress syndrome. The lower leg affected by the pain known as shin splints is coming from the main components which are the tibia located on the inside of the lower leg and fibula located on the outside of the lower leg. … Read more

Knowing The Cause of Diarrhea in Newborn Baby

diarrhea in newborn

The cause of diarrhea in newborn baby maybe related to new parents. Typically, determined by the root cause, the illness can be rectify without difficulty if handle properly. Parents need to know precisely what they need to undertake when their baby is discovering with a bout of diarrhea. They need to realize the situation and … Read more

20 Foods High in Uric Acid

seafood

Are you having, or at risk of having, arthritis or flank pains? If so, you may want to avoid some foods high in uric acid. High blood uric acid level (Hyperuricemia) leads to accumulation of uric acids in the joints thereby causing build ups of crystals which is a typical symptom of gouty arthritis – … Read more

5 Rules to Safeguard Against Oral Cancer

oral cancer

More than 4,000 women died of cervical cancer in 2008, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But, did you know that oral cancer claimed twice that many lives among women? And men have it worse—oral cancer hits men more than twice as often as it does women. Further, the country has experienced … Read more

When You Need a Laprascopic Varicocelectomy

scrotum

When it comes to dealing with the scrotum or groin area, you probably don’t want to hesitate in getting things checked out, guys. It’s one thing to dislike doctors, but when the problem happens to be in a highly sensitive area, you must take action. If you haven’t already noticed, varicocele is a major problem. … Read more

Can Drinking Tea Help Reduce Cardiovascular Disease?

Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular Health In recent time, death caused by cardiaovascular disease is on the rise, especially in developed world. A report from World Health Organization shows that more than 16.7 millions deaths were reported in year 2003. What was shocking is that about 29% of the deaths were caused by different of cardiac disease. Although, for … Read more

Osteoporosis: Are Bisphosphonates Safe?

Osteoporosis

think osteoporosis is a disease that most people don’t usually worry about. It’s one of those things that since you can’t SEE your bones or feel for deterioration, it’s not thought of.  The typical mindset is “I’ll worry about it when I’m older.” This is not the smartest way of thinking because your youth is the most critical time period to BUILD bone! The quality and quantity of bone established through diet and exercise caps at the very young  age of 18 for females and 20 for males.

Bone building begins to reverse itself at the age of 35 and when we don’t have the right tools to regenerate bone, osteoporosis occurs. Osteoporosis is a bone disorder where the bones degenerate, becoming weaker and thinner.

Calcium, phosphorus, and bone cells (osteoblasts and osteoclasts) are major elements of the bone. In normal everyday wear and tear, osteoclasts eat away at our bones, while the osteoblasts help to rebuild them!! It is CRUCIAL to keep these cells working properly so that our bones keep regenerating themselves!

osteoporosis bone

How Do You Get Osteoporosis??

Aside from being deficient in both calcium and phosphorus, estrogen helps control the amount of osteoclasts (bone breakers) in our bodies. When estrogen becomes low, like during menopause, the osteoclasts are not controlled and start degenerating bone faster than the osteoblasts (bone maker) can build them back up!!

Risk Factors

  • Being of the female gender.
  • Advancing age, especially in women who are approaching menopause (due to low estrogen)
  • Family History
  • Asians and Caucasians have a 5-10% lower bone density than those of African American or Mediterranean decent.
  • Women who are thin or have small frames.
  • Women with anorexia, celiac disease, diabetes, chronic diarrhea, kidney or liver diseases.
  • Smoking or Alcohol use.
  1. Try to squeeze in at least 2 sessions of weight-bearing activity a week.
  2. Consume your recommended amount of calcium and Vitamin D daily (Vitamin D helps calcium absorption in the intestine).
  3. Limit excessive alcohol consumption and quit smoking.
  4. Begin regular bone density scans by age 65 years.
  5. Be sure you are getting adequate magnesium in your diet as well. The ratio is 2:1 so if you are taking 1200 mg of calcium, you need at least 600 mg of magnesium.
  • Children age 9-18 years: 1300 mg per day
  • Adults age 19-50 years: 1000 mg per day
  • Adults age 51 +: 1200 mg per day

What If You Already Have Osteoporosis? Are Medications like Bisphosphonates (Fosamax, Boniva, Actonel) Safe?

Bisphosphonates alter the natural cycle of our osteoclasts and osteoblast bone cells in order to slow the rate of  bone loss, while increasing bone mass. These medications are used to prevent osteoporosis in post menopausal women, steroid-induced osteoporosis, and Paget’s disease of the bone. In short term use, of 3-4 years, these medications have been shown to slow/stop the reabsorption of bone, decreasing the risk of bone fracture and increasing bone mass in those with osteoporosis.

In those with breast cancer, bone density is lost due to low estrogen levels from chemo drugs; cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and fluorouacil (CMF), which suppress estrogen. Post-chemo drugs like Tamnoxifen and Raloxifere, also lower estrogen levels and we already covered how low levels affect our bone regeneration!!

The Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma reported that a series of 20 patients taking Fosamax for an average of 6.9 years, presented with fractures. These patients had been complaining of aching thighbones for weeks or months and then suddenly broke their legs while standing or walking.

Two other new studies have shown that after long-term use (an average of 6.9 years) the bisphosphonates stop rejuvenating the bones and actually make them become brittle. This may be occurring because our osteoclasts and osteoblasts that repair everyday wear and tear are being stopped by the bisphosphonate drugs. This can lead to thinning and fractures after long-term use.

I am a firm believer that it is best to avoid medications whenever possible. They’re just not natural. Drugs like bisphosphonates are a proven metabolic toxin that kill the cells removing bone. This is a good thing right?? Not so sure…osteoclast and osteoblasts are a natural rebuilding process.

Other warnings about these drugs: may lead to osteonecrosis of the jaw, muscle and joint aching, atrial fibrillation, hip fractures, and esophageal cancer.

I have not yet come to a conclusion about my final thoughts on what to do about these drugs. I’m curious to open the discussion up and get YOUR views.

What to do when you HAVE osteoporosis but do not want to continue drugs?

5 Sweet Foods to Eat that Wouldn’t Harm Your Diabetes

diabetes

We have seen many of our friends and relatives suffer from diabetes as they get older and eat sweet foods. If you have been inflicted with this sickness as well, you know it’s hard to control the temptation of eating sugary food sometimes. The feeling is especially hard to contain during parties and celebrations when … Read more

What To Eat When You Have Diarrhea?

What To Eat When You Have Diarrhea

Some foods can cause diarrhea whereas others may keep you fed without aggravating the symptoms while on the path to recovery. Know what to eat when you have diarrhea. Sometimes diarrhea is nothing to worry about. Causes of diarrhea can range from stomach flu from a meal or just an ingredient you ate was not … Read more