“We understand that these are tough times, and we are committed to making sure our patients are still receiving the excellent care they deserve without breaking the bank,” says Dr. Rebecca Cipriano, Vice President of Healthy Woman OB/GYN.

Healthy Woman announced this week that they would be implementing a new affordable payment schedule for patients without insurance coverage, giving patients the ability to afford routine visits without worrying about insurance reimbursement and affordability.

“We are giving patients options. Many lose their insurance and don’t go to their physician because of cost fears. We want our patients to know that even without insurance, they can afford to come to us and make sure that they are healthy,” says Dr. Rebecca Cipriano.

For some, insurance premiums have increased by almost fifty percent, a reality that insurance companies will no longer be able to turn away or charge people more with pre-existing conditions, thus raising the rates for everyone.

“It’s important for our patients to know that we understand how financially they might be affected, and want to make sure that they are getting the care they need at a rate that works for them.”

Drs. Joseph and Rebecca Cipriano started the practice eleven years ago, servicing women in the Central New Jersey area. With two locations, in Freehold and Colts Neck, the all board-certified practice takes pride in offering superior service to women in the area.

“Our patients mean the world to us, and anything we can do to help make health a top priority in these tough times, we are going to do it.”

For more information on our new flexible payment plans for uninsured patients, please visit our Insurance page now!

Everyone wants to be happy. Whether it’s achieved through success, personal accomplishment, or day to day satisfaction, most people would say that happiness is the goal they would most like to achieve.

But how does food factor into your happiness? Does what you eat affect how you feel?

According to a new study to be published in the Social Indicators Research journal, the happiest people eat seven or more servings of fruits and vegetables a day. Researchers from the University of Warwick and Dartmouth College analyzed the health habits of 80,000 people in England. This research included diets, exercise habits, employment, and whether or not they smoked. Psychological health indicators, such as life satisfaction, mental well-being, disorders, happiness, nervousness and feeling “low” were also factored into the study.

Even when all of these aspects of their lifestyle were factored, one link remained prominent: the more fruits and vegetables people ate, the happier they were. To be specific, those who ate seven portions of fruits and vegetables daily were the happiest.

The study measured one portion as 2.8 ounces, with a small apple being about 5 ounces as a reference.

The rule of thumb has always been five servings of fruits and vegetables are suggested to promote cardiovascular health and reduce the risk of cancer. So adding a few more servings into your diet could give you that extra boost to maximize your happiness level.

More research is currently being conducted to find an explanation for the correlation between fruit and vegetable intake and happiness. At this time, it could be that happy people just enjoy eating more fruits and vegetables.
If you are looking for But it might be worth the shot to give you that extra pep in your step each day.

more information about nutrition and health, please visit www.popweightloss.com

But how can you and your family stay protected from illness? Here are a few tips on staying healthy this cold and flu season!

Eat Healthy. The American Dietetic Association reports that eating a healthy diet full of fruits and vegetables is one way to boost immunity. The CDC emphasizes drinking plenty of water to help the immune system function properly. Staying away from junk food and focusing on vitamin-packed foods is a great way to steer clear of illness this season.

Live a Healthy Lifestyle. Sleeping is a great way to stay healthy, with seven to eight hours a night being the ideal. Without sufficient sleep, the body has trouble fighting off disease. The American Dietetic Association recommends sleep as an important component of fighting infection. The CDC also recommends maintaining an active lifestyle and adding moderate exercise to your day to boost immune function and help your body fight the cold and flu.

Get Rid of Germs. Wash your hands frequently throughout the day. The CDC recommends washing your hands before and after food preparation and eating, before and after caring for someone who is ill and after you blow your nose, cough or sneeze. Sanitizing items that come in contact with other people, such as keyboards, children’s toys, etc., are a great way to prevent viruses and other illnesses from affecting you.

Get Vaccinated. Although no vaccine exists for the common cold, you can get vaccinated against the flu. The Centers for Disease Control states that getting a flu vaccine once a year is the best step toward prevention during the cold and flu season. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, up to 20 percent of Americans will develop the flu each year. While the CDC recommends the flu vaccine for anyone who wants it, some groups should definitely consider it. They include the elderly and children younger than four (but over 6 months), women who are expecting and people who work in health care related fields.

It was June of 2009 when I found out something was wrong. During a self examination in the shower, I discovered I had a lump in my left breast. It literally felt like a rock! I knew something wasn’t right. Working at an OB/GYN as a medical assistant, I immediately scheduled an appointment with my doctor at Healthy Woman OB/GYN. After an examination, an ultrasound and mammography was immediately scheduled. Right away, my lump was categorized as worrisome. I was scheduled with a breast surgeon for a biopsy of the lump.

Five days later, I was diagnosed with breast cancer.

I remember hearing the words “cancer” and completely missing everything else after that. How could I have cancer? Is this really happening to me? I had no family history of breast cancer or any other type of female cancer. There was no sign or symptom, just a lump I happen to feel one day in the shower. So how could this be?

The hardest part was telling my two kids. Having to explain to your young children the severity of what was happening is still hard for me to think about, even to this day.

The next step was getting set up with an oncologist. I started on three months of chemotherapy. One week I was sick, feeling dizzy, nauseous, weak, and very achy. The chemotherapy made my body hurt all over from the medication given to me, and during my “sick week” it took a lot of effort to even get out of bed. The next week I would be ok. I would feel a lot better and be able to do things, especially with my kids. This cycle continued for my entire treatment on chemotherapy. Around the second week of therapy, I began to lose my hair. At that point, I made the decision to shave my head.

The Beauty Foundation did so much for me during this time. They would bring meals over to feed my entire family while I was having chemotherapy, and helped me pay some of my bills while I was out of work. It really helped take some of the everyday stresses and let me focus on getting better.

I was given two options after I finished chemotherapy in November; I could have a lumpectomy or a double mastectomy. I opted for the double mastectomy, because I didn’t want to worry about having the cancer return and beginning my battle all over again. This was a tough decision for me to make, but I knew I had to do this for my kids.

November 9^th, I had my procedure. They removed everything, and placed expanders in that would eventually stretch the skin. I ended up having a hematoma and had to have surgery again the next day. Every week I had to go in and have the expanders extended in order to stretch the skin. It took longer than expected, since I continued to have infections in the skin and breasts. Once the skin was ready, the expanders were taken out in April and replaced with silicone implants. About six to eight weeks later, the surgeon finished reconstructing my breasts.

September 2010 I was finally able to go back to work. For over a year, I battled a disease that could have easily taken my life. I cannot express the importance of having a mammogram every year. Don’t wait until you are in your 40s, because I was only 30 when my battle began.

During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, take this opportunity to have a mammogram. It could very well save your life.

That burning sensation in the chest and throat, and sour, acidic taste in the mouth, may become an all too familiar sensation. But why? And how can you prevent it from happening?

Heartburn during pregnancy occurs for a number of reasons. The increase of hormones in your body can soften the ligaments that normally keep the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) tightly closed. If the LES relaxes at inappropriate times, food and stomach acids can reflux back up into your esophagus and throat. Plus, there is more pressure on your stomach as your body changes and your baby grows that, in turn, can force stomach contents through the LES and into your esophagus.

There are several easy ways to help prevent heartburn from happening. Here are some helpful tips to prevent the unwanted burn.

Space Out Your Meals. Try to avoid eating large meals. Instead, eating several small meals throughout the day can help prevent heartburn. By chewing slowly and avoiding rushing through a meal, you can possibly prevent from having heartburn show up later.

Drink Lots of Water. It’s important to drink plenty of water during pregnancy (8-10 glasses daily) along with other fluids, but don’t drink these only at mealtimes. Large quantities of fluids can distend your stomach, putting more pressure on the LES and forcing it to open inappropriately. Drink some of your fluids in between meals and throughout the day.

Sleep Sitting Up. Sleeping with your head and shoulders propped up with a wedge pillow or elevating the head of your bed six to eight inches can help prevent nighttime heartburn. This will allow gravity to work for you and it will help keep your stomach acids where they should be; in your stomach and not in your esophagus. A recliner can also help to alleviate heartburn.

Avoid the Common Culprits. Don’t eat foods that are known heartburn triggers. These include chocolate, citrus fruits and juices, tomatoes and tomato-based products, mustard, vinegar, mint products, and spicy, highly seasoned, fried, and fatty foods. By avoiding these foods or minimizing your consumption of these, you can help prevent heartburn from ever showing up.

Being diagnosed with breast cancer can understandably be tough on any woman—but imagine being diagnosed the very day your husband’s vice presidential bid ends. Then, once the cancer has gone into remission, having it return in the midst of your husband’s grueling campaign for presidency. And then, as if all that weren’t enough, fighting the battle while it’s publicly revealed that your husband had an affair and fathered another woman’s child.

This was the scenario for Elizabeth Edwards, who succumbed to metastatic breast cancer a year ago this month. Her struggle sparked interest in a question that researchers have been asking for years: Does stress contribute to breast cancer?

No one knows for sure, but many scientists are interested in the relationship between the two. While some factors, like the breast cancer gene (find out more about getting tested for it at www.bracnow.com), have been definitively linked to breast cancer, stress is still undergoing research.

Looking for a Link

A study last year at UCLA’s Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center found that stress was a sort of “fertilizer” that spurred the growth of breast cancer in mice, as it redirected immune cells meant to ward off the disease and helped tumors spread. They also found a 30-fold increase in cancer progression in stressed mice when compared with those that were not stressed.

A long-term study of 1,400 Swedish women in 2003 reported that women who were under stress had twice the risk of developing breast cancer as women who didn’t report issues with stress. Although the study was small, it did control for other factors such as family history of cancer, alcohol use, body weight, smoking, and age when a woman first got her period. Similarly, an Israeli study in 2008 showed that young women who had been through two or more traumatic life events were at a greater risk for breast cancer than those who hadn’t.

On the other hand, many studies have failed to find a link, such as one that looked at women who had lost a child—despite the extreme stress, they were no more likely to get breast cancer than other women.

Teasing out stress and its effects is difficult—for example, people who are stressed might be more likely to eat more unhealthily, drink more alcohol, or engage in some other behavior that could increase the risk for cancer.

Stress Busters

Although stress in small doses can be a great motivator, it seems likely that the kind of stress Edwards was under only made her fight against the disease more difficult. While scientists continue their research, it’s worth de-stressing in general if you feel that anxiety and tension are having a negative impact on your life. Here are six quick tips for minimizing day-to-day stressors:

• Say no to taking on more responsibilities if you already feel overwhelmed.

• Play music that makes you happy.

• Call a friend on the phone.

• Focus on your breathing.

• Get some fresh air, especially if you’re often cooped up indoors.

• Carve out time for things you enjoy.

About BRACAnalysis:

• It enables you to make important choices and take steps to reduce the risk of both breast and ovarian cancer.
• The results of the test can make a significant difference in your life and the lives of your family members, depending on your family history of cancer.
• The cost of the test is reimbursed by most insurance plans.

If you’re wondering if BRAC Analysis is right for you, visit www.BRACnow.com for more information.

Pregnancy can throw a lot of curveballs your way—morning sickness, Braxton-Hicks contractions, strange cravings—but one development that catches many women by surprise and turns your 40 weeks into a whole new ballgame is the onset of gestational diabetes.

The result of high blood sugar in pregnancy, gestational diabetes affects approximately 18 percent of women, according to the American Diabetes Association. Why this happens to women who otherwise have no history of diabetes is still being researched, but it likely involves pregnancy hormones blocking the insulin in your body from properly doing its job, which is to help glucose (sugar) become fuel.

There typically aren’t any symptoms associated with gestational diabetes, so you’ll be screened at about 28 weeks for it. If your glucose levels are high, you’ll take an additional test to determine your diabetes status.

Whom It Affects

You’re more likely to be diagnosed with gestational diabetes if you are obese, have had gestational diabetes in a prior pregnancy, have a family history of diabetes, or previously gave birth to a large baby (around 9 pounds). For reasons that are unknown, women who are not white are more likely to be affected. Those 25 and younger are at a lower risk.

What It Means for You

To keep your gestational diabetes in check, you’ll need to be even more vigilant about having a healthy diet than you were before. Keeping sugar to a minimum is important, as is eating at regular intervals—no skipping meals! If your balanced diet and exercise routine don’t control your diabetes, you may have to take medications or insulin.

After you give birth, your diabetes is likely to disappear, but recent studies have shown that women who had gestational diabetes are more likely to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes down the road. Make sure your doctor screens you for diabetes symptoms as time goes on, and keep up the nutritious eating that was necessary during pregnancy. Exercise also helps.

What It Means for Your Baby

Babies born to moms with gestational diabetes are more likely to be bigger at birth, which could cause problems with delivery (or necessitate a C-section). They’re also at a higher risk for having low blood sugar levels and breathing problems in the first few days of their life. Because your baby will store extra fat if you have elevated sugar levels while pregnant, this could lead to a higher risk of being overweight in both childhood and adulthood.

The better you manage your gestational diabetes, the less likely it is that any problems will occur. So knock it out of the park with a healthy diet, moderate exercise and following your doctor’s recommendations, and you’ll have a great shot at being home free of any lasting complications to you or your newborn.

For help with a healthy eating plan for your pregnancy and beyond, consider A Better You, Dr. Rebecca Cipriano’s weight loss and weight management program. Call 732.866.8446 or email to set up an appointment to meet Dr. Rebecca and discuss how she can help you get on track now.

Some of the most commonly used methods of birth control are hormonal. However, there are 2 different types of hormonal birth control- combined (containing estrogen and progesterone) and progestin-only. Both types are equally effective when used properly, but they each have their own advantages and disadvantages. The types of progestin-only birth control are the pill (mini-pill), the shot (called Depo-Provera), implant (Implanon), and IUD (Mirena).

Progestin methods are often used in women that can’t take estrogen due to certain medical conditions. People who have had blood clots, pulmonary embolism, or deep vein thrombosis should not take estrogen-containing birth control. People prone to these conditions should also not use estrogen-containing birth control. The same goes for people with uncontrolled high blood pressure, smokers >35y/o, and people with migraine headaches with an aura. People who are breastfeeding usually prefer progestin-only birth control because estrogen-containing birth control can decrease their milk supply.

The most common side effect of this type of birth control is irregular bleeding. People may experience bleeding in between periods, irregular spotting throughout their cycle, or they may stop getting a period all together. People may also experience headaches, nausea, breast tenderness, or weight gain. The progestin can increase your appetite, so although the medication itself does not cause weight gain if you are hungrier you may eat more and this can lead to weight gain. Depo-Provera most commonly causes weight gain as compared to the other methods discussed here.

The progestin-only pill, or mini-pill, is a pill that is taken daily. It is important to take the pill at the exact time every day, because even a delay as little as three hours can lower the efficacy of the pill. When starting the pill you should use a back-up method of birth control for the 1st week. The same should be done if a pill is missed. If used perfectly the failure rate is about 0.3%. Along with irregular bleeding, which is the most common side effect, people may also tend to develop ovarian cysts. This medication may not be effective if used in combination with certain anti-seizure medications.

Another type of progestin-only birth control is an injection called Depo-Provera. It is an injection that is given about every 12 weeks. This injection should be given ideally during the 1st 5 days of your period. In people that are breastfeeding the shot can be given during the post partum period, and it can even be given immediately after delivery. Again the most common side effect is irregular bleeding. Many people will stop getting a period completely after several injections. It can take about 6 months or more to get a regular cycle back after stopping the injection. Depo-Provera can lead to reversible bone loss, especially if used for more than 2 years. This bone loss is reversible after discontinuation of the shot, but it is important to take in sufficient calcium and vitamin D while using the shot.

Another kind of progestin-only birth control is the implant, called Implanon. This is a small implant, about 2 x 4 cm, which is placed in the upper arm. It must be inserted and removed by a healthcare provider. It can be left in place for 3 years. It also can lead to irregular bleeding or absence of your period.

The Mirena IUD is a device that sits in the uterus for up to 5 years while slowly releasing progesterone. For more details on this refer to last months article on IUDs.

Remember that all of these methods are fairly reliable methods of birth control. They are also helpful in people who have heavy periods because it can cause them to become lighter or to stop all together. None of these protect against sexually transmitted diseases, however, so you should always use condoms if you are at risk of developing an STD. Check in next month when we’ll be discussing combined hormonal methods of birth control.

As moms and women on-the-go-go-go, we simply do not have time to get sick. It’s just not an option, right?

Here are our top ways to keep colds at bay during the sneezin’ season.

An Apple A Day

The old wives’ tale is true! Apples, especially the Red Delicious variety, are ripe with immunity-boosting antioxidants, which also increase heart and circulatory health and even lower cholesterol, thanks to their high fiber content. As with everything you are going to put in and on your body, choose organic whenever possible.

It’s A Wash

Washing your hands is one of the most effective and easiest ways to stay healthy. Scrub ‘em up good with soap and warm water (steer clear of antibacterial hand sanitizers—they do more harm than good) for a good 15 seconds (which is about the time it takes to sing “Happy Birthday”). In between washes, be sure to keep your hands off of your face, as germs spread into the body via nose, mouth and eyes.

Skip It, Sugar!

Sugar is indeed the biggest dietary demon. If you want to fortify your body against everything from the common cold to cancer, kick sugar to the curb once and for all (barring a treat here and there, of course).

C You Soon

Citrus is loaded with vitamin C, which supports the immune system and alkalinizes your body, which not only keeps you from getting sick but ensures that you’ve got energy to spare.

Carrots Take The Cake

Packed with infection-fighting beta-carotene, carrots (and sweet potatoes and spinach) are a tasty way to snack sickness away.

I’ll Drink To That

Staying hydrated by drinking at least eight 8-ounce glasses of pure water a day not only keeps things flowing to help the body get rid of toxins but it keeps mucous thin and helps your mucous membranes resist infection.

Snooze So You Don’t Lose

A good night’s sleep is key—as in absolutely essential to your overall health. Being well-rested shores up your immune system and helps fight anything wicked that comes your way. For optimal natural health and energy, commit to a solid eight hours a night.

What a Tea-se!

Skip the caffeine (especially if you want to master a good night’s sleep) and go for caffeine-free herbal tea. Packed with L-theanine, a compound that helps supports the body’s response to infection, tea has been shown to help its avid drinkers produce more anti-bacterial proteins (up to five times more!) than non-tea drinkers.

Nice Moves

Exercise not only helps keep the pounds off, but it supports all of the body’s vital functions, which, in turn, staves off colds and other winter ailments. 30 minutes a day of cardio and light weight training are the look-good, feel-good prescription for life,

This time she breaks down osteoporosis with the hope that you’ll be able to stave off the breaking down of your bones from this avoidable disease.

Osteoporosis is a disease of bones that leads to an increased risk of fracture. In osteoporosis the bone mineral density (BMD) is reduced, bone micro-architecture is deteriorating, and the amount and variety of proteins in bone is altered. Osteoporosis is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a bone mineral density that is 2.5 standard deviations or more below the mean peak bone mass (average of young, healthy adults) as measured by DXA. Osteoporosis is classified as primary type 1, primary type 2, or secondary. The form of osteoporosis most common in women after menopause is referred to as primary type 1 or postmenopausal osteoporosis. Primary type 2 osteoporosis or senile osteoporosis occurs after age 75 and is seen in both females and males at a ratio of 2:1. Finally, secondary osteoporosis may arise at any age and affects men and women equally. This form of osteoporosis results from chronic predisposing medical problems or disease, or prolonged use of medications such as steroids.

After the age of about 30, bone thinning is a natural process and cannot be stopped completely. Whether you develop osteoporosis depends not only on the thickness of your bones early in life but also on your health, diet, and physical activity later in life. The thicker your bones, the less likely the bones are to become thin enough to break. Young women in particular need to be aware of their risk for osteoporosis and take steps early to slow its progress and prevent complications.

A lot of physical activity during the preteen and teen year’s increases bone mass and greatly reduces the risk of osteoporosis in adulthood. If you eat a diet adequate in calcium and vitamin D and exercise regularly early in life and then continue with these healthy habits, you may be able to delay or avoid osteoporosis.

Three factors essential for keeping your bones healthy throughout your life are:

Adequate amounts of calcium

Adequate amounts of vitamin D

Regular exercise

Calcium

The Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommends the following amounts of daily calcium from food and supplements:

Up to 1 year old — 210 to 270 milligrams (mg)

Age 1 to 3 years — 500 mg

Age 4 to 8 years — 800 mg

Age 9 to 18 years — 1,300 mg

Age 19 to 50 years — 1,000 mg

Age 51 and older — 1,200 mg

Dairy products are one, but by no means the only, source of calcium. Almonds, broccoli, spinach, cooked kale, canned salmon with the bones, sardines and soy products, such as tofu, also are rich in calcium. Consider taking calcium supplements. The IOM recommends taking no more than 2,500 mg of calcium daily.

Vitamin D

Adequate amounts of vitamin D intake is just as important to your bone health as getting adequate amounts of calcium. Scientists don’t yet know the optimal daily dose of vitamin D, but it’s safe for anyone older than 1 year to take up to 2,000 international units (IU) a day. Experts generally recommend that adults get between 400 and 1,000 IUs daily. Although many people get adequate amounts of vitamin D from sunlight, this may not be a good source if you live in high latitudes, if you’re housebound, or if you regularly use sunscreen or you avoid the sun entirely because of the risk of skin cancer. Although vitamin D is present in oily fish, such as tuna and sardines, and in egg yolks, you probably don’t eat these on a daily basis. Vitamin D supplements or calcium supplements with added vitamin D are a good alternative.

Exercise

Exercise can help you build strong bones and slow bone loss. Exercise will benefit your bones no matter when you start, but you’ll gain the most benefits if you start exercising regularly when you’re young and continue to exercise throughout your life. Combine strength training exercises with weight-bearing exercises. Strength training helps strengthen muscles and bones in your arms and upper spine, and weight-bearing exercises — such as walking, jogging, running, stair climbing, skipping rope, skiing and impact-producing sports — mainly affect the bones in your legs, hips and lower spine. Swimming, cycling and exercising on machines such as elliptical trainers can provide a good cardiovascular workout, but because such exercises are low impact, they’re not as helpful for improving bone health as weight-bearing exercises are.

Other tips in prevention:

Smoking: Smoking increases bone loss, perhaps by decreasing the amount of estrogen a woman’s body makes and by reducing the absorption of calcium in your intestine – so don’t smoke!

Avoid excessive alcohol. Consuming more than two alcoholic drinks a day may decrease bone formation and reduce your body’s ability to absorb calcium.

Thirty years ago, most people thought osteoporosis and the broken bones it can cause were a part of normal aging. That view has changed. Researchers today know a lot about how you can protect your bones throughout your life. We have learned that getting enough calcium, vitamin D and regular exercise are important for your bones. You’re never too young or too old to improve the health of your bones. Osteoporosis prevention should begin in childhood. But it shouldn’t stop there. Whatever your age, the habits you adopt now can affect your bone health for the rest of your life. Now is the time to take action.

As you may already know, being female puts you at risk of developing osteoporosis and broken bones. Women are more likely to get osteoporosis than men. First of all, women tend to have smaller, thinner bones than men. In addition, estrogen is a hormone in women that protects bones. This is why the chance of developing osteoporosis increases around the time of menopause, when estrogen levels drop sharply. In fact, in the five – seven years following menopause, a woman can lose up to 20% of her bone density.

Here are some facts:

Of the estimated 10 million Americans with osteoporosis, about eight million or 80% are women.

Approximately one in two women over age 50 will break a bone because of osteoporosis.

A woman’s risk of breaking a hip is equal to her combined risk of breast, uterine and ovarian cancer.

But if you already have osteoporosis or are at risk for it, the good news is that there are many things you can do to prevent bone loss and broken bones. Osteoporosis and bone health issues vary for girls and women of different ages and ethnic backgrounds.

To sum it all up:

1. Osteoporosis is common

2. Osteoporosis is serious

Breaking a bone is serious, especially when you’re older. Broken bones due to osteoporosis are most likely to occur in the hip, spine and wrist, but other bones can break too. Broken bones can cause severe pain that may not go away. Some people lose height and become shorter. It can also affect your posture, causing you to become stooped or hunched. This happens when the bones of the spine, called vertebrae, begin to break or collapse. Osteoporosis may even keep you from getting around easily and doing the things you enjoy. This can make you feel isolated and depressed. It can also lead to other health problems. Twenty percent of seniors who break a hip die within one year from problems related to the broken bone itself or surgery to repair it. Many of those who survive need long-term nursing home care.

3. Osteoporosis is costly

In 2005, osteoporosis was responsible for an estimated two million fractures and $19 billion in costs. By 2025, experts predict that osteoporosis will be responsible for approximately three million fractures and $25.3 billion in costs each year.

4. Osteoporosis can sneak up on you

You can’t feel your bones becoming weaker. You could have osteoporosis now or be at risk for it without realizing it. Often, breaking a bone is the first clue that you have osteoporosis. Or, maybe you notice that you are getting shorter or your upper back is curving forward. At this point the disease may be advanced. Fortunately, a bone mineral density test can tell if you have osteoporosis before you have these symptoms. This makes it possible to treat the disease early to prevent broken bones.

Osteoporosis and its effects can effectively be prevented and treated by simple measures. Hope you have found the information useful and will take corrective measures towards healthy bone health!