General Health Articles

Healthy Living: Osteoporosis Warning Signs

Osteoporosis is one of the most common ailments of adults over the age of 50 and it is a problem that people do not want to live with.  Weak bones lead to fractures and many other scary problems that could leave you disabled. 

Before turning into full-blown osteoporosis, osteopenia – the process of thinning bones - precedes the ailment.  There are some warning signs to look for to determine if your bones are in fact thinning.

Here are some warning signs for osteoporosis: 

• Warning Sign #1 - You have had more than one fracture in the past two years or a fracture that seemed severe considering the circumstances.
• Warning Sign #2 – You are naturally a small or thin person.
• Warning Sign #3 – You have an autoimmune condition that causes you to take prednisone or another corticosteroid.
• Warning Sign #4 – You are a smoker and have been throughout your adult life.
• Warning Sign #5 – You drink more than two alcoholic beverages a day.
• Warning Sign #6 – You do not drink milk, or you have a lactose intolerance that prevents you from drinking milk.
• Warning Sign #7 – You have an eating disorder.
• Warning Sign #8 – You are an Asian or Caucasian female over the age of 50.Warning Sign #9 – You have a family member who had osteoporosis before the age of 50 or before menopause.

Fitness for All: 10,000 Steps a Day: Where did it come from?

Whether you are an avid fitness guru or just your “Average Joe” you have no doubt at some point in your life heard that the key to being healthy is getting in your “10,000 steps” daily.

But have you ever wondered why 10,000 steps? And is it working? Or is it just causing us unnecessary stress?

Here is what the experts say…

Back in 1965, when the Summer Olympics was held in Tokyo, Japan, a local professor was working on coming up with the best way to fight obesity and heart disease. He calculated that walking 10,000 steps a day – or the equivalent of 5 miles – would translate into a 20% increase in calories burned for the average person.

The professor, Yoshiro Hatano, then came up with a pedometer-like device called the Manpo-kei, to encourage people to get up and moving during the Olympics when fitness was on everyone’s mind.

The popularity of the pedometer and taking 10,000 steps continued in Japan and has since spread to the U.S. and other countries, becoming the standard that World Health Organization (WHO), the American Heart Association (AHA) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) still follow today.

While 10,000 steps a day might be an achievable goal for some, experts note that everyone’s fitness ability is different and their steps per day should be adjusted accordingly.

One way to figure out the number of steps that would work for you is to track how many steps you normally take in any given day, then set an achievable goal based on your baseline steps. If you are a person who typically gets in 5,000 steps a day, then shoot for 7,500. Already reaching 10,000 a day? Why not try for 12,500? Even though this theory has been around for decades, there is no need to stress yourself out about reaching this daily goal. Just take it one step at a time.

In the News Monthly Awareness – May Part II

(continued from part I)…

Raising funds for future research is a priority; people are made aware of progress being made towards a cure.

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic, life-threatening disease which affects the digestive and respiratory systems. CF occurs in about one in 3500 live births. In the US, approximately 30,000 people have CF, whilst over 10 million people carry the defective CF gene but have no symptoms.

Lyme Disease Awareness  

Supported by the Lyme Disease Foundation, Lyme Disease Awareness Month is a campaign which promotes preventative measures which can be taken against Lyme disease. Lyme disease is an acute inflammatory disease caused by the bite of a tick infected with the bacteria, Borrelia burgdorferi.

Lupus Awareness  

The aim of Lupus Awareness Month is to raise awareness and educate others about this life changing disease.

Lupus is an autoimmune disease. In a healthy immune system, the body produces antibodies which destroy unhealthy cells such as bacteria, viruses, and foreign waste. However, lupus causes an overactive immune system to produce auto antibodies which attacks healthy body tissue. This can affect most parts of the body including any organ.

While there are many more conditions that are promoted during the month of May, we hope that you have learned a little more about a few of these health issues and can help spread awareness to those you know and love.

In the News Monthly Awareness – May Part I

Every month of the year in the United States, Canada and even Worldwide, different health issues are promoted to spread awareness.  In the month of May, there are many conditions that are promoted. Here we break down the numerous issues and help you to learn more about why awareness is key to many of these conditions.

Asthma and Allergy Awareness-

Supported by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), this awareness event is held throughout the month of May to coincide with the peak season for asthma and allergy sufferers. In the US, approximately 25 million people have asthma of which almost 7 million are children.

Celiac Awareness   

Celiac Awareness Month is an event held throughout the United States each May and is supported by the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (and other relevant organizations). In the United States, approximately 3 million people have celiac disease; 21 million people have this disease or are sensitive to gluten. Of the 3 million who have this disease only 5% know they have it. This awareness event aims, in part, to make more people aware that they may have this disease and that by eating gluten free foods, they can eliminate their symptoms. 

Cystic Fibrosis Awareness  

Cystic Fibrosis Month raises awareness about cystic fibrosis (CF). This month is sponsored by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF)

(continued in part II)…

Health 101: Tips for a Healthy Summer

The calendar might read May, but summertime is just around the corner. It’s time to get geared up for warmer months, longer days and all the fun that only summer can bring. To make this summer your best one yet, here are some health tips to keep in mind these next few months.

• Get at least 150 minutes of aerobic activity a week.
• Wear sunscreen and insect repellant.
• Keep cool in extreme heat.
• Eat a healthy diet including nutritious fruits and vegetables.
• Keep hydrated with water instead of sugary drinks and alcohol.