Update: How Long Should You Stay on Osteoporosis Medications?

Medical treatments are continually studied and recommendations to medical professionals are regularly revised. In this post I will update you on the latest recommendations related to the drugs used to treat osteoporosis and osteopenia (pre-osteoporosis). Click here if you would like to review an my post about the risk factors, detection and prevention of these conditions.

If you take Fosamax, Actonel, Boniva or Reclast (or if your health professional has recommended you take one of them) read this post to learn how get the most benefit from them.

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Whether You are Democrat or Republican You Should Be a Maverick about Your Health

The media branded the current Republican presidential candidate a “maverick” and that has made the word popular and common but politics has obscured its meaning. Being a maverick means more than not always voting with one’s own political party.

Being a maverick means you make up your own mind about things, you determine a plan of action and you then have the guts to follow through on your plan. Maverick Health was founded on these principles. Here, on the eve of the election, are some thoughts on why – whether you are a Democrat or a Republican – you should absolutely be a maverick about your health.

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Wishing You a Healthy Flu Season and a Pneumonia Free New Year

It’s that time of year again – the leaves are turning, the weather is cooling off, the holidays are fast approaching - and that means flu season is, too. Yearly flu vaccination starts in September and continues throughout the flu season.

Here’s a tip - late October and early November are the best times to be vaccinated. Read this little primer on a yearly ritual. If you need vaccinated, now’s the time!

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How a Heart CT Scan Led to My Bypass Surgery

At his regular checkup, this man’s doctor recommended he get an expensive screening test called a heart CT scan (aka EBCT). This test is not covered by insurance and is not recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Even though he was having no symptoms, he chose to go ahead pay for the test himself and he’s glad he did. He has graciously allowed me to publish his story hoping it might help others. Read it here.

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What Adult Vaccinations Do You Need?

Do you remember your childhood vaccinations – the smell of alcohol that warned of the impending pain of needles? I sure do. I’ve had patients tell me they still get nervous around doctors and nurses and needles, all because of those awful shots. I hate to break this to you – but some of those shots have worn off and there are other vaccinations you need as an adult that you may not have had yet. Don’t get nervous, I can’t give you a shot over the Internet. But please read this post, shore up your courage and go get the vaccinations you need!

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Aging to Perfection: Part 2 - Wisdom

I don’t know about you, but if I am lucky enough to grow old, I hope I get there having aquired a little wisdom along the way. All I know so far is that wisdom has a price. Anything of real value does not come cheap and money can’t buy life’s richest gifts - they can only be earned. Here are some excerpts from an article about wisdom and the qualities of those who seem to possess it.

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Aging to Perfection: Part 1 - Maintaining Functional Capacity

My patients often say to me “It’s hell getting old.” My reply is always the same, “It beats the alternative!” Growing old is not for the faint of heart. This is the first of a two part post called Aging to Perfection. Part 1 is about how to maintain functional capacity and Part 2 is about wisdom.

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Osteopenia and Osteoporosis: Keeping Your Scaffold Strong!

Are you confused about osteopenia and osteoporosis? Do you wonder whether you are at risk for a fracture? Do you want to know what steps you can take to prevent it? And whether you need medication?

Note: This post was updated with new information on November, 21 2008. After reading this, click here, for more information about medicaions and how long you should take them.

This is a picture of osteoporetic bone. See how thin and fragile it is? This bone would fracture easily if enough force were exerted, from a fall for example. But there are steps you can take to prevent this so read on.

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Intelligence of Crows

There are rare moments when people and their ideas just rock my world. This 10 minute video, published on the TED website, did just that. Thank you, TED for doing what you are doing and for sharing your content so freely. And thank you, Joshua Klein, for showing us the intelligence of crows and asking, “Why not turn a longstanding rivalry between man and crow into something that profits both species?“ Check this out - it is fun!

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