Education
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is the loss of calcium from the skeleton , usually with aging, that results in the skeleton becoming less dense and more brittle making it more susceptible to fractures like a broken hip , pelvis wrist or spine after minor accidents such as a fall. It is estimated that it seriously affects up to 60 % of women and 30 % of men.
It is diagnosed by Xray and bone density scanning at a formal radiological evaluation.
It may be avoided by taking the following steps:
- an adequate intake of calcium in the daily diet from dairy foods or calcium tablets.
- regular weight bearing physical activity
- some sunlight exposure not during the burning midday period or Vitamin D
- specific treatments for osteoporosis – including regular medications like Fosamax , Actonel or Protos
Coeliac disease
Coeliac disease is a relatively common disease now being diagnosed more commonly because of the advent of newer tests and increasing recognition of a variety of presentations. Around 10% of first degree relatives related to a patient with coeliac disease will also have the disease. Coeliac disease is a lifelong sensitivity to gluten a protein component of wheat rye and barley resulting in inflammatory damage to the lining of the small bowel leading to impaired absorption of foodstuffs. The illness may present in childhood or adulthood.
Common presentations in childhood are: persisting diarrhoea or constipation, foul stools, weight loss, abdominal distension, flatulence or vomiting. Adults may present similarly or with additional secondary symptoms like anaemia, abdominal cramping bloating and irritable bowel.
Treatment is by fastidious diet avoiding gluten however this should not be undertaken unless a definitive diagnosis is established and other disease states that may mimic these symptoms been excluded.
Radio for the Print Handicapped – 1179 on AM Radio
This is a useful station for anyone who is visually impaired. There are readings of daily newspapers and other popular reading matter throughout the day.
