August 2010:
Welcome to the month of August and the "dog days of summer". I live in central Arizona and it has been a hot one. Our days have been running around 100ยบ or higher. Currently we are experiencing our annual summer monsoons, so now we can add humidity to the heat. I hope all of you are able enjoy the the remaining bits of summer. Sit back and have a tall glass of lemonade. Think about how your summer has been also and consider your bone health now and for the future.
Osteoporosis, known as the "silent disease" affects millions of people. It is very important that you are aware of your bone health, especially if you are a post-menopausal woman or are man in his sixties or older. By the age of sixty-five men lose bone mass at the same rate as women do. And by 2020 half of all Americans will have a low bone mass or osteoporosis. Many will not even know they have it until they see a doctor for an injury and learn it is osteoporosis related. Will you be a victim of osteoporosis? Talk to your doctor, get a bone density test and learn as much about bone health as you possibly can to slow down or prevent this disease from happening to you.
One out of every two women will get osteoporosis. And since this disease does not discriminate- one out of every four men will fall victim to it as well. And according to the National Institute of Health more men die from complications due to osteoporosis related fractures than women do. For more information visit the National Osteoporosis Foundation web site.
A wonderful site for osteoporosis support is teaminspire. This site is provided by the National Osteoporosis Foundation. There you can communicate with others going through the same trials that you are and find friends, support and medical suggestions. I am so thankful for all the wonderful people I have been able to communicate with on this site.
Please remember that I am a "Proceeds Partner" with the National Osteoporosis Foundation selling magnets that say "Fight Osteoporosis". I have provided this link to their page. The National Osteoporosis Foundation has set up a link from their site back to mine for purchasing the magnets. For each magnet that is sold with NOF by your name- the National Osteoporosis Foundation will receive $2.00. So please visit them for fantastic information on osteoporosis and bone health. You might even consider becoming an advocate and starting a support group in your community. They provide all the necessary booklets and information to help the meetings run smoothly and efficiently.
If you have the time check out empowher.com. This is an awesome sight you really need to see. I met Michelle, the owner in Washington, D.C. at the National Osteoporosis Foundation Awards Dinner May 2009. She has quite a story to tell- started the site several years ago and has gone global. There is a ton of information on her site to help women with all kinds of questions regarding health issues. It is a video medical library. I am a provider with both articles and videos on osteoporosis.
My new book was reviewed by a doctor on the board for the National Osteoporosis Foundation. I have received his review, corrections and additions, and I have made the appropriate changes. Now we are off to the editor. Art work for the book cover begins soon and the book should be out late December of 2010 or early 2011. Once the book is out a portion of the proceeds will go to the NOF if it is purchased through my web site. A receipt for tax purposes will be sent to the purchaser with the book. Updates will be posted as things move along.
I am excited to get to this stage in the book and will soon begin planning my book tour. Currently twelve states do not have an NOF Support Group. As I do my book tour I look forward to visiting one city or town in each of those states and promote osteoporosis awareness. Maybe an attendee will even be motivated to start a local support group.
Until next month- stay healthy and safe.
Alice