Sunday, December 9, 2012

What population group is at highest risk for osteomalacia?

Q. a. Infants
b. Elderly men
c. Adult women
d. Children ages 2-12 years

A. Osteomalacia is vitamin D deficiency (and the spectrum of symptoms that causes.) It's commonly due to lack of sunlight exposure... and women generally have higher demands for vit D. So I'd say adult women are most at risk. Also note that in parts of the world where women are covered from head to toe, there's extremely high risk of vit D deficiency.

Elderly men (and women) may have elevated risk, as well. This is mostly due to decreased absorption (food sources) that frequently occurs as we age.

Among infants and children, vit D deficiency is called Rickets. Osteomalacia is adults only.


What population group is at highest risk for osteomalacia?
Q. a. Infants
b. Elderly men
c. Adult women
d. Children ages 2-12 years

A. The condition called Osteomalacia is one where there is a significant softening of the bones in your body. It is usually caused by a vitamin D deficiency. In children, this condition is known as rickets. The concern is that Soft bones are more likely to bow and fracture than harder, more healthy bones.

This is similar, yet different from, osteoporosis, which is a another bone disorder that can also cause bone fracturing. Osteomalacia occurs when the bone-building process in our bodies does not perform correctly, while osteoporosis develops later because of a weakening of previously constructed bone.

Some of the symptoms of osteomalacia are achy pain in the bones and muscle weakness. Typically treatment involves increasing the amount of Vitamin D and calcium in addition to treating any underlying disorders that may be contributing to the deficiencies.

People who have both inadequate dietary intake of vitamin D and little exposure to sunlight have the highest risk of developing this disorder. Therefore the risk is highest in older adults as well as those who rarely get outdoors such as people who are housebound or hospitalized.

Insufficient sunlight is the cause of many problems. Sunlight is truly indispensable to our good health and peace of mind. Many people hide from the sun and deny themselves of the sun�s healing powers. They fear the sun�s damaging ultra-violet rays. History tells us the human race evolved and thrived under the light and energy of the sun.

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you have symptoms of osteomalacia, or if you think that you may be at risk for this disorder.

For those who are seeking a healthy solution to many issues, but don't believe that medicinal solutions are the best way to go, let me point you to an alternative care website that will shine more light on these matters.

Follow this link for more information... http://tinyurl.com/24bfrgt . They have a wonderful view on health and the importance of sunlight in our lives.


Is there a way to reduce signs of Parkinson's disease at its early stages?
Q. What are the signs of it at the early stages?

A. Maya,
If you are asking about the early warning symptoms it is important to know that the precursor symptoms of PD may occur several years before there is the significant dopamine neuron death in the SN to support a diagnosis at this time. As long as there are no blood tests or other lab tests in general use, one will have to be on the lookout for various symptoms and hope that you have a very knowledgeable medical team. You could have the vitamin D levels checked for deficiency but this will only point you in the direction of several possible conditions, PD, cardiovascular disease, some cancers and autoimmune diseases.

Early (warning) symptoms of PD include but are not limited to loss of sense of smell. leg drag, REM sleep disorders, change in handwriting, depression, loss of arm swing, change in voice and facial expression. In women, pain and stiffness in the neck and shoulder area can be an early symptom.

If you mean what are ways to reduce the visible signs of having Parkinson's disease after the diagnosis has been made, the first thing to consider is the drug known to slow progression, rasagiline, an MAO-B inhibitor. Delay the levodopa/carbidopa until you and your doctor agree that additional support is needed.

Other medications which are effective in reducing visible signs of PD are the dopamine agonist, Mirapex which enhances the effect of the existing dopamine. While Mirapex has been very effective in providing symptom relief and masking, it is not without extreme side effects which can be more devastating than the PD itself.

Caffeine intake, nicotine, and certainly ibuprofen (recently announced) are known to reduce the risk or delay the onset of PD but these are not necessarily solutions once the disease has been diagnosed. Estrogen is thought to be neuroprotective and for some time it was felt that synthetic hormones did not offer the same protection but HRT has been shown to have significant benefits to postmenopausal.women. Please remember that HRT is estrogen and progesterone and it has not been determined which is more protective. Actually it might be that estrogen increases dopamine synthesis and release with increased D1 and D2 receptors as well.
http://vs8.tripod.com/estrop.htm

Nutritional supplements such as COQ10 and other powerful antioxidants should be included in both diet and the supplements. Including the B complex is important especially B3, B6 and B12 as well as folic acid. A mediterranean diet is probably the most beneficial it will be richer in Omega 3s. This list can go on and on. Try to achieve some balance in nutrition - timing may also be important. Don't forget to include green tea in your diet.

Therapies to address the current symptoms and to strengthen muscles, establish an exercise routine for flexibility and range of motion as well as balance are also very important. Physical exercise, massage therapy and PT are important. Voice therapy should begin early in order to fit that into a regimen which may be needed later.

One of the most significant types of exercise is Forced Exercise through bicycling and safe treadmill exercise. Properly done, Forced Exercise has been seen to significantly reduce symptoms and reliance upon medication.
http://parkinsonsfocustoday.blogspot.com/2009/05/forced-exercise-to-relieve-parkinsons.html

The early signs of PD vary from patient to patient because PD is actually a collection of syndromes and because of the varying contributory factors, heredity, age and gender, race and diet. The general rule of thumb is TRAP: Tremor, Rigidity, Akinesia (bradykinesia or slowed) Postural Instability (balance, postural changes while walking especially). About 25% of PD patients do not exhibit the classic tremor in the early stages. Some have more

The real trick is to find what works for the individual. No one area alone will provide enough relief.


Is it normal to feel cold in 70 degrees?
Q. It is 70 degrees outside and my freind is cold. She is bundled up in a long sleeved shirt, a scarf, and a jacket and still shivering. Is this normal?

A. absolutely not normal 70's are "perfect". theirs no reason why she should be cold (well not a normal reason) ok it could be a number of things. These include but aren�t limited to:Anemia (low blood count, especially common in menstruating women with significant monthly blood loss);
Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar);
Age (the very young or elderly may have more difficulty with body temperature regulation); (but i don't think it's that lol)
Exposure to cool or cold environments without proper protection;
Stress or anxiety;
Poor health or infections such as the common cold, leukemia, lupus, bladder infection, septicemia (blood infection), hepatitis, Menkes disease, decreased immune function and others;
Malnutrition;
Gallstones (chills and sweating, along with pain);
Medications (potential side effects from narcotic pain relievers, beta interferons, others);
Anorexia nervosa (poor nutrition, anemia, very low body weight, fatigue);
Allergic reaction;
Uncontrolled diabetes;
B�vitamin complex deficiency (may increase cold sensitivity).

(feeling cold is one of the symptom)

Feeling Cold

Anemia can make you feel cold all the time, even in a warm room.

What patients said:

"I notice sometimes I get really cold, I get chills."

"Sometimes I get really, really cold. It could be hot, and I'd be cold."
Chills can occur with an infection, making you shiver and feel cold even though your body temperature may be normal or even elevated. Chills can happen to anyone and are most common at the start or end of an infection. Chills with a normal or elevated temperature should not be treated with warm clothing or blankets, as this can raise the body temperature to a dangerous level.

If your body temperature falls below the normal range, even by just a few degrees, you have hypothermia. Hypothermia can be dangerous, especially the farther your body temperature falls. If your temperature falls below 96 degrees, you should seek immediate medical care. You can treat mild or severe hypothermia until help arrives by warming the person slowly with blankets and making sure the person is dry.

When you are very sensitive to cold weather, you may have cold intolerance. Cold intolerance can be a sign that your body has a hard time warming itself. Common causes of cold intolerance include anorexia, anemia and hypothyroidism. If you find even mildly temperatures difficult to bear, you should contact your health care provider.now i said it's "absolutely not normal " but let me clarify in 70 degrees isn't cold but it's not hot-now to me 70s you don't need a coat or jacket. but to have long sleeves scarf and a jacket and still cold! i don't think it's normal. hope i help





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