The silent disease
Osteoporosis is a disease
that weakens bones to the
point where they break easily.
It is often called the “silent
disease” because you may
not notice any changes until a
bone breaks.
Osteoporosis is more common
in women, but men also
have this disease. The risk of
osteoporosis grows as you get
older.
At the time of menopause,
women may lose bone quickly
for several years. After that,
the loss slows down but continues.
In men, the loss of bone
mass is slower, but by age 65 or
70, men and women lose bone
at the same rate.
The good news is there are
things you can do to prevent
weakened bones:
• Eat foods rich in calcium
and vitamin D.
• Include regular weightbearing
exercise in your lifestyle.
• If you smoke, stop.
• Limit how much alcohol
you drink.
Your bones and muscles
will be stronger if you are
physically active. Weightbearing
exercises, done three
to four times a week, are best
for preventing osteoporosis.
Walking, jogging, playing tennis
and dancing are examples
of weight-bearing exercises.
Try some strengthening and
balance exercises too. Here
are two examples:
Hand Grip
This simple exercise should
help if you have trouble picking
things up or holding them.
It will even help you open
things like jars and bottles.
And, you can do it while reading
or watching TV.
1. Hold a tennis ball or
other small rubber or foam
ball in one hand.
2. Slowly squeeze the ball
as hard as you can and hold it
for 3-5 seconds.
3. Relax the squeeze slowly.
Dr. Nissin Nahmias, St. Barnabas Hospital Center for Bariatric
Surgery director, recently spoke at the IBC World Congress in the
United Kingdom to weight loss surgeons from around the world.
(Above) Dr. Nahmias gave an insightful present across the pound.
Photo courtesy of St. Barnabas Hospital
Improving adolescent health outcomes begins with talking
BRONX TIMES REPORTER, A 30 PRIL 12-18, 2019 BTR
4. Repeat 10-15 times.
5. Repeat 10-15 times with
other hand.
6. Repeat 10-15 times more
with each hand.
Heel-to-Toe Walk
Having good balance is important
for avoiding falls.
1. Position the heel of one
foot just in front of the toes of
the other foot. Your heel and
toes should touch or almost
touch.
2. Choose a spot ahead of
you and focus on it to keep you
steady as you walk.
3. Take a step. Put your heel
just in front of the toe of your
other foot.
4. Repeat for 20 steps.
If you feel unsteady, do this
exercise near a wall so you can
steady yourself.
Brought to you by Montefi
ore Medical Group, R.A.I.N.
and the Hartford Institute for
Geriatric Nursing @ NYU,
based on material from the National
Institute on Aging.
SBH DOCTOR SPEAKS AT IBC WORLD CONGRESS
A study published recently in
The Journal of Adolescent Health
shows that only half of adolescents
and young adults (13-26 years old)
have ever had private time with their
health care provider.
“Those who did were found to
have more positive attitudes about
their providers, were more willing
and comfortable discussing sensitive
topics (such as sex, family planning,
substance use, and suicidality),
and thought these discussions should
happen at a younger age,” says Dr.
Kanani Titchen, director of adolescent
health at SBH Health System (St.
Barnabas Hospital in the Bronx).
This is particularly important in
the Bronx. Although the rate of teenage
pregnancies in the borough has
fallen dramatically since 2005, at 68.8
pregnancies per 1,000 females ages
15 – 19 down from nearly twice that
much, it is still significantly higher
than New York City’s 48.1 pregnancies
per 1,000.
Specialists like Dr. Titchen, are
working to improve adolescent sexual
and reproductive health outcomes in
the south and central Bronx (where
the numbers are higher). A good part
of what she provides is education.
Here are some mythbusting facts
she offers about birth control:
• The birth control pill does not
cause weight gain. The only form of
birth control with known, proven
weight gain is the hormone shot. For
this reason and others, Dr. Titchen
says she doesn’t often prescribe the
shot more than once or twice to teenage
girls.
• Birth control does not encourage
girls to have sex. “In fact, more often
than not, the girl has already had
(unprotected) sex before she starts
birth control,” says Dr. Titchen.
“Therefore, she is at risk of an un-
planned pregnancy.” According to
Dr. Titchen, among the best things
for encouraging abstinence are open
dialogue with parents/guardians
and extra-curricular activities like
sports and music and arts and academic
activities.
• A girl can become pregnant the
first time she has sex…but, said Dr.
Titchen “this risk diminishes dramatically
if the girl has already been
taking birth control and is able to
have open, private conversations
with her doctor.”
Dr. Titchen offers all reversible
forms of birth control that do not interfere
with a young woman’ future
fertility. These include long acting
reversible contraception (LARC)
such as the hormonal implant and
the hormonal or copper IUD; birth
control pills; hormonal patch; hormonal
vaginal ring; and hormone
shot.
“We offer combined-hormone contraception
(estrogen + progestogen),
as well as progesterone-only forms
and give out free condoms.”
The center also prescribes Plan
B. “This is NOT an abortive drug,
but rather a medication for young
women to take within 72 hours in
the event of unprotected sex or if the
condom broke,” she says. “It’s called
Plan B, because Plan A failed. Plan B
helps prevent pregnancy, not terminate
an existing pregnancy!”
She also provides forms of birth
control for medical reasons that
have nothing to do with preventing
pregnancy. “This can include girls
with very heavy or painful periods,
acne or with PCOS (polycystic ovary
syndrome),” she says. “A visit with
an adolescent medicine doctor can
help determine what form is safest,
most convenient, and best for the patient.”
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