Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is the a bone disease characterized by reduced bone mineral density, leading to an increased risk of fracture.

Osteoporosis is a major public health issue, affecting 10 million Americans. The number, when combined with the 34 million Americans that suffer from osteopenia (thinning of the bone mass less severe than osteoporosis), accounts for more than half of the population over age 50.

As Americans are growing older, the problem of osteoporosis is growing increasingly clearer. Direct health-care costs from osteoporosis fractures total $1 billion, and those suffering from it will feel it, both in their health and bank accounts.

There is hope, however. Osteoporosis can be treated with simple lifestyle changes and certain medication, or a combination of both. Treatment for osteoporosis has one particular focus: preventing bone fractures. Since osteoporosis attacks and weakens the bone, preventing osteoporosis is essential in staying healthy. The following treatments are meant to treat and prevent osteoporosis. Making a few lifestyle changes may save thousands of dollars and maintain health in the future!

1. Exercise

Guaranteeing yourself exercise on a daily basis will provide you many health effects beyond preventing and treating osteoporosis. While exercise does not increase bone density, it can help you improve fitness and balance, preventing falls. Walking daily for up to half an hour can do wonders for your health. Of course, if you are already struggling with weakened bones, you should use extra caution with the intensity of exercise.

2. Quit Smoking

Smoking has been found to significantly decrease bone mass, especially when done over a prolonged period. In women, cigarettes can decrease estrogen levels, cause earlier menopause, and increase the risk of osteoporosis. Smoking also damages many other organs and present many additional health problems.

3. Calcium Supplements

Calcium is very instrumental in building stronger bones, especially earlier in life. Calcium supplements can not be considered a standalone treatment or cure for osteoporosis, but can work well as a preventive measure and supplemental treatment. Supplements are best taken in smaller doses with meals divided into 500 mg each.

4. Vitamin D

Vitamin D is also very important in healthy bone strength. As with calcium, Vitamin D supplements are not meant to be a sole treatment or cure for osteoporosis, but instead a preventive measure and supplemental treatment. Taking Vitamin D will help your body absorb dietary calcium, avoid osteomalacia, and increase bone density. Vitamin D deficiency is common in the United States, but can be easily matched with one or two multivitamin tablets per day.

5. Hormone Therapy

Estrogen hormone therapy has been found to counter the symptoms of osteoporosis. Women can take estrogen orally or in the form of a patch. Before choosing a hormone therapy, you should contact your doctor.

6. Medication

There are a number of medications that have been found to retain calcium in the bones. Bis phosphates can be taken to decrease the risk of fracture, selective estrogen receptor modulators can be used as a replacement for estrogen, calcitonin (a hormone) can prevent bone loss, and teriparatide (synthetic hormone) can help regulate calcium metabolism. Talk with your doctor for possible medications.

Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer’s disease is one of the most devastating diseases in the world.  It can be heartbreaking for a family to learn that somebody they love is suffering with the debilitating disease.  When an individual learns that they have Alzheimer’s disease, it is essentially a death sentence.  It is a death sentence that can slowly change your life forever.  The disease is incurable, as scientists and researchers have not yet been able to determine the cause, let alone the cure of the disease.  Nevertheless, there are a number of disease treatments that may reduce the negative affects of the symptoms.

Alzheimer’s disease was originally described by Alois Alzheimer and, therefore, was named after him.  The disease causes a degeneration of the healthy brain tissue, leading to memory loss, sensory loss, and the eventual loss of body functions leading to death.  Other symptoms include a disorientation of life, loss of the ability to read or write, and severe changes in personality.  For example, Alzheimer’s disease may eventually cause an individual to grow angry, bitter, or withdrawn.  The gradual degeneration of the healthy brain tissue means that as time goes on, the individual suffering from Alzheimer’s will continually grow more and more dysfunctional.

The frightening nature of the disease is cause for researchers to continue searching for a way to reduce the pain associated with the disease; to find any way help the individuals and families impacted by Alzheimer’s.  In addition to the usual medication treatment that most disease treatments resemble, there has been a number of alternative disease treatments available for Alzheimer’s.

Ranging from supplements to normal everyday behavioral changes, these alternative disease treatments help those suffering with Alzheimer’s continue to be a part of society.  There is considerable controversy associated with some of these disease treatments, with those against them citing a lack of proof regarding their safety and effectiveness.

The rest of this article focuses on some of the more popular disease treatment alternatives for Alzheimer’s disease:

1.  Coenzyme Q10

Also known as ubiquinone, Coenyzme Q10 is an antioxidant that is naturally part of the body.  The compound has been taken in the past to treat Alzheimer’s disease, but a synthetic version called idebenone has not been proven to help as a disease treatment.  The compound could also be harmful if too much is taken.

2.  Coral calcium

These supplements have claimed to be an alternative disease treatment for many serious illnesses, including Alzheimer’s disease and cancer.  The FDA filed a complaint against the distributors of coral calcium, citing that there is no scientific evidence supporting their claims, and that lying about the claims is unlawful.  Health experts do not recommend taking coral calcium, however, as it does not offer any additional health benefits.

3.  Ginkgo biloba

A plant extract that has compounds beneficial for the body, Ginkgo biloba is said to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant characteristics.  It has been used in China and Europe extensively.

However, in regards to Alzheimer’s disease, Ginkgo biloba was not found to make a significant impact as a disease treatment.

4.  Omega-3 fatty acids

Omega 3s are fatty acids that are a disease treatment that is seen as providing a reduced risk of heart disease and stroke.  It has been approved by the FDA to be displayed on supplements and foods as beneficial.  It also has been thought to help with problems of cognitive decline or dementia, one of the most problematic symptoms of Alzheimers.

Treatment for Lyme Disease

Types of disease treatment varies between each type of disease.  Many disease treatments will involve medication, while other disease treatments may involve therapy or counseling.   For some diseases, however, disease treatment may involve preventative measures.  Some disease treatment will even be more abnormal and peculiar.

Antibiotics are a type of disease treatment in the form of a substance or compound that kills or inhibits the growth of harmful bacteria.  They are also the disease treatment of choice for Lyme disease.

Lyme disease is a disease caused by the bite of a tick infected with the bacterium Borrelia.  It can stay with an individual for months, or even years, after infection, causing early symptoms of fever, headache, fatigue, depression, and cause a rash around the bite.  In later stages, if left untreated, Lyme disease can damage the joints, heart, and nervous system.  Disease treatment for Lyme disease is a simple use of antibiotics, and as stated before, must be treated early to avoid more serious symptoms.

Receiving disease treatment for Lyme disease is important once symptoms begin to appear.  If an individual sees a circular rash around a tick bite or is experiencing the primary symptoms of fever, headache, or fatigue, it is recommended that they immediately see a doctor.  A doctor would be able to provide the disease treatment required to get better.

The rest of this article will, hopefully, better describe the treatment options for Lyme disease and its several stages:

1.  Early stages of Lyme disease

Early treatment utilizes a long treatment of antibiotics.  Depending on the patient and the stage of the disease, there are many different antibiotics commonly used.  Doxycycline is an antibiotic most commonly used, as it is used for adults.  Amoxicillin is the antibiotic commonly used in children, while erythromycin is used in pregnant women, and ceftrixone used as an alternative.  These antibiotic treatments usually last from 2-3 weeks.

2.  Post-Lyme disease symptoms

It often happens that patients suffering from Lyme disease continue to have symptoms even after underdoing antibiotic treatment.  In fact, up to one third of patients continue to have symptoms such as fatigue, sleep disturbance, and cognitive difficulties.  Some theories as to why this happens are that the initial infection may have autoimmune characteristics or that other infections from Borrelia or other tick-borne infections may cause the persistent symptoms.

Treatment for such symptoms include hydroxychloroquine or methotrexate, both aimed to cure Lyme arthritis.

3.  Alternative therapies

In addition to these antibiotic treatments, disease treatment for Lyme disease has also historically had alternative therapies.  While there are no clinical trials to date for these treatments, many believe that they may have a positive impact when used in conjunction with antibiotics.  The use of a hyperbaric oxygen chamber, for example, has been said to be effective against Borrelia burgdorferi.  Another possible alternative treatment is bee venom, as it contains melittin, which inhibits Lyme bacteria.