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Newsletter - May 2010
Building
Works
Many thanks to all our
patients for your patience and understanding whilst the building works
have been occurring. We have nearly finished, having chosen the worst
winter for the surgery roof to be literally taken off! Once finished the
surgery will have upgraded many areas, from the car park outside to
gaining a further consulting room, modernised nurse treatment room and
disabled toilet and for the ever increasing paperwork enlarged
administration area.
Osteoporosis
and the older person
My Doctor
says I have osteoporosis- what does this mean?
Osteoporosis is where
your bones are less strong compared to the average person’s bones.
It is more common in
women compared to men especially after a woman has gone through the
menopause. Apart from age and being female other factors that are risk
factors or pointers that you may have Osteoporosis are;
-
a parent having had
a hip fracture,
-
yourself having a
simple fall and sustaining a fracture,
-
alcohol intake of
more than 4 units per day,
-
smoking,
-
use of ‘Steroid’
tablets,
-
being slim or
immobile/ inactive.
If you are at risk of
Osteoporosis your doctor can organise a 'DXA' scan if appropriate which
can help to advise how best to manage this problem
It is important to
prevent osteoporosis as having weak bones predisposes you to an
increased risk of fractures especially of the wrist, back and hip. All
these injuries can be significant in affecting your everyday life and
general health. How can I prevent Osteoporosis?
How
can I help prevent Osteoporosis?
Self help includes the
following lifestyle advice; stopping smoking, taking regular exercise
are important factors in prevention. Calcium intake is also important,
this can be obtained either from dietary intake e.g. milk, cheese or by
a dietary supplement.
What can my
Doctor do to help?
Your Doctor might also
commonly prescribe Calcium along with vitamin D supplements, or in some
instances a drug called Alendronate which is taken weekly. For either
drugs it is important to take as directed, unfortunately both these
medications are ones that patients are not very good at remembering to
take!
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for previous Newsletter articles? Follow this
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