Archive for the ‘Take Control Naturally’ Category
Start with a Complete Bone Health Evaluation
You just tripped and suffered a minor fracture? You just started menopause or male low “T”? You are now on Medicare? Are you concerned about your bone health? If not, you should be. At least concerned enough to check it out.
Don’t just get a DXA. DXA alone misses 85% of Fracture Risk, especially in older individuals. You should get a Complete Bone Health Evaluation to catch any problems early. “Take Control Naturally” with enough calcium, Vitamin D, protein, and exercises every day.
What is a Complete Bone Health Evaluation?
DXA read by an ISCD Certified Clinical Densitometrist is a start. ISCD certification assures proper reading.
Vertebral Fracture Assessment (VFA) identifies vertebrae which have collapsed, up to 80% of which are not recognized. (I missed mine.)
FRAX calculates Fracture Risk far more accurately than DXA and Bone Mineral Density alone.
Blood tests include CBC and CMP routinely done for annual check-ups. We add monohydroxy Vitamin D, PTH, TSH and phosphorous.
History and physical examination focused on bone health and 20-30 minutes consultation solely about bone health, fracture prevention, osteoporosis prevention, or osteoporosis treatment.
A Complete Bone Health Evaluation allows many of our patients to Take Control Naturally with proper nutrition and exercise alone.
Jay Ginther, MD
NOF Tip for 31 May – Provide Educational Materials to 31 Patients
NOF is being cute by suggesting you help specifically 31 patients. The practical message is clear. You can help others by directing them to: https://www.nof.org/national-osteoporosis-month-may-2020/ or https://cdn.nof.org/wp-content/uploads/NOM-Digital-Calendar.pdf
Cedar Valley Bone Health Institute of Iowa has additional handouts, as do most bone health practices. www.BoneDocBlog.com has over 475 posts on various bone health topics.
Take Control of Your Future.
Jay Ginther, MD
NOF Tip for 27 May – Choose or Be a Health Care Proxy
All of us will die some day. Many of us will not be able to fully express our wishes in our last days. How do we want to spend our last days? How do our parents want to spend their last days if they cannot speak for themselves at that time?
NOF has a brief video about deciding ahead of time who will speak for you if you cannot. Go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTxv-20ULwQ&feature=youtu.be .
Much better is the next video – a TED talk by Ellen Goodman at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbWcLYOniWU about The Conversation Project. Talk about end of life care. What YOU want to happen.
Given our medical backgrounds, my wife and I clearly know what we do not want and have made it clear to our kids. Most people never have The Conversation because it is too early – until it is too late.
Take control. Decide how you would like to spend your last days. Choose a health care proxy. Talk about it. Do the necessary paperwork.
Jay Ginther, MD
NOF Tip for 18 May – Happiness is a Choice
Getting old is not for wimps. We have little choice about getting older. Life happens. However we do have a choice in how we age. Happiness is a choice we can make.
Choosing happiness improves our health, including our bone health, and extends our lifespan.
NOF has posted an interview with John Leland, author of “Happiness Is A Choice You Make: Lessons From a Year Among the Oldest Old”. Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts at https://www.bonetalk.org/podcast-episodes/happiness-is-a-choice
I heard John Leland speak at NOF and I read his book. Time well spent.
Jay Ginther, MD