Mom Had Osteoporosis – Do I Have It Too?
If your Mom had Osteoporosis, you are also at risk for osteoporosis and fractures. If a parent had a broken hip, you are at increased risk of fracture. Choosing your parents poorly is a risk factor you cannot avoid. Your age is the biggest risk factor that you cannot control. However, you can control other risk factors.
Katoski Greenbelt
Leonard Katoski Greenbelt bluebells should be at peak on Mother’s Day this year. Already we have quite a spring show. Thousands of spring beauties and all colors of violets are in full bloom. Trout lillies on high ground are out. Tens of thousands of bluebells are blue with pink buds following. A few spring phlox are starting. Take a hike and enjoy.
A mile from Blackhawk Creek, my yard has different soil and wildflowers. Bloodroots are finishing. Rue anemonies are peaking. The grey dogwood is starting. The redbuds are opening. Prairie and Grandiflora trilium are up but not quite open. True and false Soloman seal will come later, as will bellworts, wild ginger, and a host of may-apples. And, of course the daffodils, scilla, crocus, and tulips.
Life is good if you take the time to enjoy it.
Jay Ginther, MD
I Can’t Have Osteoporosis – I Feel Fine
This week a patient told me “I can’t have Osteoporosis, because I feel fine!” Osteoporosis is often silent. Osteoporosis can sneak up on you. You do not feel a thing – until the first fracture. And even then you must pay attention to realize that you have been warned.
High blood pressure can hide until the first stroke, or TIA if you are lucky. High cholesterol can hide until the first heart attack, a minor one if you are lucky. Diabetes can be overlooked until your eyesight or kidneys fail, or you lose a leg to ulcers. However, all of these, including Osteoporosis, can be successfully treated before a major problem arrives!!!