Osteoporosis - the silent disease

Osteoarthritis of the Knee?
When osteoarthritis affects the knee joint, pain, swelling, deformation, and stiffness may increase over the years. Often, both knees are affected and need extra care and support. How can this condition be improved? Is there anything the patient can do to protect these painful joints? In its new magazine, "Arthritis Info," the American Arthritis Society has compiled some useful and practical tips from many of the world's leading knee experts. Written in everyday English and clearly illustrated, this booklet contains interesting information that can be helpful for everyone who has osteoarthritis. For a free copy of the premier issue of "Arthritis Info" please write: American Arthritis Society, 28 State Street, Suite 1100, Boston MA 02109. Please enclose two 37-cent stamps for shipping and return postage.

Osteoporosis is a major health threat that, according to the National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF), affects over ten million people, 80 percent of whom are women. In addition, the NOF estimates that an additional 34 million people have low bone mass, placing them at increased risk for developing osteoporosis.
According to Laurie Hughell, M.S., PA-C, Geriatrics Fellow in the Des Moines University Geriatric Education Center, osteoporosis can cause painful deformity of the skeletal system and fractures that are a result of decreased thickness, or density, of the bones. These fractures can affect any bone of the body but most often affect the hip, spine, wrist, and ribs. In addition, osteoporosis is called the "silent disease" because it often occurs with no symptoms and people usually don't know they have the disease until experiencing a fracture.
Hughell recommends some measures you can take throughout your life to prevent osteoporosis.