Know your risk factors and when to get a bone mineral density test as osteoporosis does not have any tell-tale symptoms in early stages.

Osteoporosis is a condition characterized by thinning and weakening of the bones. it initially has no symptoms, but it can lead to more easily broken bones, especially painful and debilitating fractures of the hips, wrists, and spine.

A bone mineral density test (BMD), which measures the strength of the bone, is used to screen for thinning bones and determine if osteoporosis is present. Initial screening is recommended for women at age 65 and men at age 70. the test results are reported as T-scores which compare the patient’s bone density with that of healthy young women. a T-score of -1.0 or higher is normal. a T-score between -1 and -2.49 indicates osteopenia (early thinning of bones) and is graded as mild, moderate, and advanced. T-scores of -2.5 or more indicate osteoporosis.

Younger men and women may be tested if they have certain risk factors which include a fragility fracture, some chronic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and kidney disease, premature menopause, hormone treatment for prostate and breast cancers, significant loss of height, smoking history, family history of osteoporosis, regular use of corticosteroids, and significant alcohol use.

But there has been no consensus about how frequently BMD screenings are needed in order to not miss opportunities to prevent fractures. some providers recommend repeat screenings every one to two years. a recent study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, investigated this issue.

The study followed almost 5,000 women for 15 years to determine how rapidly women with normal BMD or with osteopenia progressed to a stage where treatment to prevent fractures was indicated. They researchers wanted to determine how the BMD testing interval related to the timing of the transition from normal BMD or osteopenia to the development of osteoporosis before a hip or clinical vertebral fractures occurs.

The study looked at 4,967 women who were 67 years or older and who did not have osteoporosis at the start. some of the women had normal bone densities and some had mild, moderate, or advanced osteopenia. They followed them for 15 years to determine how long it took each group to get to the point where they developed osteoporosis so significant as to be at enough risk for bone fracture that they would warrant treatment.

The investigators reasoned that information about the pace or progression of the stages of normal or early bone thinning to clinically significant osteoporosis could help inform decisions about the appropriate intervals for retesting patients.

Based on the rates of transition from osteopenia to osteoporosis in the four groups — normal BMD, mild, moderate, or severe osteopenia — the researchers recommended that women whose initial tests show normal BMD or mild osteopenia can wait 15 years for follow up. those with moderate osteopenia can wait five years, and those with advanced osteopenia should wait only one year between tests.

The researchers found that the women with the least osteopenia at the outset of the study took the longest to progress to clinically significant osteoporosis. They also found that within each category of osteopenia, the younger women progressed more slowly to osteoporosis than the older women. the transition time to osteoporosis was longer for women who were taking estrogen at the start of the study as compared with women who had taken estrogen before the study began or had never taken it at all.

The researchers maintain that the baseline T-score is the most important factor to consider when choosing how frequently to repeat the BMD test. but they note there may be compelling reasons to screen more often. Clinicians may elect to increase the frequency of screenings if there are additional risk factors that would suggest a faster progression of bone loss such as decreased activity or mobility, or significant weight loss.

They also note that the expected time to osteoporosis is less in the very elderly and that screening every three years instead of every five years might be considered for women who are older than 85 years and have moderate osteopenia.

Additionally, the researchers note that their study population was limited to women 67 years of older, 99 percent of whom were white. the study suggests that different results may have been obtained from analyses that include younger post-menopausal women or men.

Patients may wish to discuss their BMD results and screening recommendations with their physicians. Although this study offers some important new insights, patient care decisions must take multiple factors into account, including each patient’s unique medical history.

Image: Bartek Zyczynski/Shutterstock.

This article originally appeared on TheDoctorWillSeeYouNow.com, an Atlantic partner site.

November 28, 2011  |         LIKE THIS ARTICLE ? Join our mailing list: Sign up to stay up to date on the latest Personal Health headlines via email.        

We know too much drinking can be hazardous to our health. but new research suggests that drinking too little might be hazardous, too.

I don’t want to go to rehab, but a raft of recent studies show that moderate alcohol consumption lowers our risks for many dire conditions including heart disease, stroke, gallstones, diabetes and dementia. some studies even suggest that the answer to pesky menopause symptoms comes in six-packs and goes great with pretzels.

The keyword here is "moderate." some studies define this as one drink per week; others as up to four drinks per day. this haziness notwithstanding, these studies show that heavy drinkers are far more likely than moderate drinkers to die from certain diseases.

But so are people who don’t drink at all.

It’s a bell curve. but while one half of the bell is well, duh, the other half — the half involving abstinence — is pretty shocking. In study after study, abstainers get sick and die sooner and in larger numbers than moderate drinkers.

In these studies, "you get this protective effect no matter what you drink: wine, beer or liquor," says nutrition therapist Karen Scheuner.

Absinthe, beaujolais, King Cobra: It’s all good — or good for you.

"the benefits don’t increase with amount," Scheuner says, "and they disappear altogether if you consume four or more drinks per day."

A study published this summer found that women who consume one drink daily and men who consume two drinks daily are 23 percent less likely than nondrinkers to develop Alzheimer’s disease. Heavy drinkers, defined here as consumers of at least three to five drinks daily, face higher Alzheimer’s risks than both moderate drinkers and abstainers. (Well, duh.)

And a study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that, compared to abstinence, drinking one to three alcoholic beverages daily is associated with a 33 to 56 percent lower incidence of diabetes — and imbibing over three drinks daily is associated with a 43 percent higher incidence of diabetes. (Duh again.)

A study presented two months ago at the European Respiratory Society Annual Congress found that both abstainers and heavy drinkers are nearly one and a half times as likely to develop asthma as are moderate drinkers, defined here as consumers of one to six alcoholic beverages per week. Abstainers face the highest asthma risk of all, topping even that of heavy drinkers.

A 2007 study found that drinking at least one alcoholic beverage daily is associated with a 30-percent lower risk than abstinence of developing one type of kidney cancer. but its authors warn that alcohol consumption — light, heavy and moderate — is linked with increased rates of breast cancer, liver cancer, oral cancer, esophageal cancer and other cancers. I don’t like those odds.

A study published in the new England Journal of Medicine that tracked over 22,000 men for more than 12 years found that those who regularly consumed as little as one drink a week had a lower stroke risk than did abstainers. a study published in the Journal of Urology that tracked over 120,000 men found that those who regularly consumed at least 1.3 ounces of alcohol daily — about half as much as is found in your average Manhattan — had a 35-percent lower risk than abstainers did of developing prostatic hyperplasia, whose symptoms include incontinence and a wide array of other urinary woes.

Other recent studies found moderate drinkers facing significantly less risk than abstainers for macular degeneration, arthritis, osteoporosis — and even death itself.

A 2010 study found that abstainers’ all-cause mortality rate is twice as high as that of moderate drinkers. Examining death rates among middle-aged people, this study also found a 70 percent higher mortality rate for heavy drinkers than for moderate drinkers. so does abstaining mean you’ll die that much sooner than both your social-drinker, daiquiri-a-day ex and alcoholic Uncle Joe, who blacks out in alleyways?

Houston, TX — (SBWIRE) — 10/27/2011 — Recent studies show that as many as 80% of American women have PMS at some time during the average 400 menstrual cycles occurring between first menstrual cycle and menopause, or the time between when the menstrual period start at puberty and when it ceases after menopause. although there is no therapeutic “cure” for PMS, the good news is that there are significant, new advancements in understanding and managing it.Evecare from Himalaya is said to the best to deal with PMS as it has regularizing influence on the menstrual cycle by virtue of its uterine stimulant action. according to experts Evecare’s stimulatory effect on the ovarian tissue helps regularizing endogenous hormonal secretion and enhances the repair of the endometrium and thus controls abnormal uterine bleeding. Evecare’s anti-inflammatory action has healing effect on the uterus and its antispasmodic action alleviates pain. Evecare from Himalaya also has immune-modulatory and hematinic properties that are beneficial in anemia and generalized weakness associated with uterine disorders.Evecare capsule and syrup from Himalaya are indicated by the experts when symptoms such as Premenstrual syndrome, Dysmenorrhea, Menstrual irregularities such as Menorrhagia, Menorrhagia and Oligomnorrhea are displayed. Evecare is also indicated when women display symptoms of Dysfunctional uterine bleeding and assisted Conception. The efficacy of Evecare, a non-hormonal herbal medication was evaluated for its effect on dysmenorrhea and PMS. The composition of Evecare comprises several herbal ingredients that have a pronounced action on the female genital system.Some of the important ingredients are: Saraca indica that has been proven effective in dysmenorrhea and possesses an estrogen-like activity that helps in healing of the inflamed endometrium during menstruation; Symplocos racemosa that has been reported to be useful in treating uterine disorders; Boerhaavia diffusa that has a potent anti-inflammatory property; Asparagus racemosus that contains saponins that hinder the oxytocic activity on the uterine musculature, thereby maintaining spontaneous uterine motility; Aloe Vera that improves fertility by regulating uterine hormones and is also effective in treating menstrual dysfunction. Acacia arabica that is a known uterine stimulant; Cyperus rotundus that has been found effective in the treatment of anemia and general weakness that are common manifestations of this disorder; Hemidesmus indicus that has a healing effect on the uterus and helps in uterine involution and Tinospora cordifolia, a well-established immune-modulator that boosts the immune status and imparts a feeling of well-being.The research done on Evecare has proved that, Evecare is totally effective in all patients with dysmenorrhea and in 80% of cases with PMS. There adverse effects of using Evecare from Himalaya. Evecare is a safe and cost-effective drug to treat dysmenorrhea and PMS.about OnlineHerbsOnlineHerbs is an online herbal pharmacy which aims at providing the best quality herbal medicines like natural herbal remedies and natural herbal health supplements for healing various diseases. OnlineHerbs offer the herbal products from very well-known companies, ‘Himalaya Herbals’, ‘Olay Naturals’, ‘Lotus Herbals’ and ‘Olivia Herbals’.

Hi, every other month I am experiencing SEVERE PMS symptoms before the onset of my periods. these are not the regular PMS symptoms, the pains are five fold it includes Entire Body Pains, and Severe back pain. This happens every alternate month, the next month has regular PMS symptoms like regular pains and bloating and the periods get delayed. does this mean that this is the perimenopausal stage for a person who is about enter their 41st year? or is this too early to think about it? your Feedback would really help! THANKS! any experiences and thoughts would help.

i think its to early for menopause. besides that , menopause does not hurt. ( i'm there)
i think you need to see a dr. that sounds so painful and not normal.

However, cervical cancer symptoms may well not be same but there are few medical symptoms checkers that can be present at the early and the later stages of the disease. in medical science, cervical cancer is termed as the malignancy that attacks the lower or the neck part of the female uterus, which is termed as the cervix. Alternatively, it can be stated as the cancer of the female reproductive tract.

Medical symptom checker of the cervical cancer and its factors:-

However, symptoms at the beginning phases are rare but the disease may possibly involve:

The vagina discharges continuously which can be pale, watery, light reddish, bloody and foul smelling.

Between the menstrual periods or the following intercourse, there is abnormal bleeding.

After the Menopause, there is irregular and seldom bleeding.

Periods stays for a longer span of time and also gets heavier.

If these are not detected then the following issues may possibly also rise as:

Main or extreme bleeding if the vagina or the discharge might take place.

There can be discomfort in the pelvic area, in the abdominal part or the back and the legs may also begin paining.

The woman will have no wanting for food or the appetite will be lost.

Tremendous weight loss will take place.

The woman will suffer from extreme tiredness.

The vagina will start leaking urine or often feces.

The bones will get fractured.

The correct cause of the cervical cancer is still not yet understood but may happen due to a virus named human papillomavirus. the virus gets transmitted generally by means of sexually. the factors for which it gets in the body are premature sex, several sex partners and can often result due to several pregnancies. the females generally under the age of 55 are at higher risk of getting affected by this illness.

The cervical cancer is an extremely slow growing disease. the pre stage of this disease is recognized as dysplasia and can be identified by the Pap smear and if treated at the correct time can be simply treated. Cervical cancer can spread to different parts of the body if this precancerous medical symptoms checkers are not treated after being detected.

The diagnosis and the treatment of the illness

As the illness is rarely understood at the beginning stage, so it depends on the pap smear test and the pelvic examinations. a biopsy may also be performed if the precancerous cells are detected on the cervix.

The treatment of this disease depends on the woman’s desire of having children in the future or upon the stage of the disease.

If this disease is identified at the earlier stage then the physician prescribes the surgical procedures or hysterectomy. This test is the removal of the uterus rather than the ovaries.

Medical symptom checker is very popular these days.Click here to know more about Medical symptom checker.

Menopause Causes and Symptoms and Vitamins and Home Remedies for Menopause

Menopause, or more accurately perimenopause, is the time when your body begins to react to dropping levels of estrogen and other hormones. every woman will experience this differently, so your menopause may not look like your friend’s. but some symptoms are very common, some less common, and some are serious and should not be ignored. here is a list of things you may notice as you enter menopause.

Read more on Menopause Treatment and Irregular Menstruation Treatment and also visit on Leucorrhea Treatment

Causes of Menopausal Disorder

1.    Autoimmune Disorder

2.    Chromosomal irregularity

3.    Radiation therapy/ chemotherapy

4.    Family history of disorder

5.    Viral infections

Symptoms of Menopause

Normally, with the onset of menopause women start experiencing different kind of changes in their body, behavior, emotions, etc. the major symptoms of menopause are drying of vagina, the vaginal portion becomes dry and menopausal women may experience severe pain during sexual intercourse; sleeplessness, women find difficulty in sleeping during menopause; extreme hot and cold sensation, with the beginning of menopause there is extreme variation in the body temperature, some women may experience extreme low while some may find their body temperature extreme high; severe body pain, menopausal women experience severe pain in their body parts, especially head, joints, eyes, etc.; frequent urination and other problems related to bladder; skin looks lifeless, dry, wrinkles and dark circle appears below eyes. Other symptoms of menopause are irritation, mood swing, irritation, depression, easily get stressed due to family problems and responsibilities.

Home Remedies for Menopause

1.    One must take sprouts, nuts, vegetables, fruits, sprouted seeds, soybeans, alfalfa, cabbage, soyabean as well as olive oil. they provide much relief from menopausal problems.

2.    Regular exercise is very good.

3.    One must take a lot of calcium.

4.    Since the vagina becomes dry and causes much pain during menopause and afterwards, it is advisable to drink plenty of water as well as fruit juices.

5.    One must avoid caffeine as well as alcohol.

6.    Soy foods increase the estrogen. it also regulates the cholesterol levels. as well as makes the bones strong and of course improves the hot flashes.

7.    One can take sunflower seeds as well to increase the estrogen levels.

8.    Linseed is very effective home remedy for menopause.

9.    Prime rose oil is very good.

10.    Almond oil combined geranium oil can provide relief for menopausal pain. Mix both of them in equal amounts and apply the mix on the vagina. the pain is reduced and it smoothes the skin.

11.    Yoga as well as meditation helps.

Vitamins for Menopause

Vitamins that make a good natural remedy for menopause, to take in addition to the multi vitamin:

1.    Vitamin C – 500 mg twice a day. If your multi vitamin contains vitamin C, subtract that amount and take the difference

2.    Vitamin A – 5000 IU – Don’t exceed this however as vitamin A is a fat suloble vitamin and can accumulate in the tissues and become toxic

3.    Vitamin E – 400 – 800 IU per day

4.    1200 mg calcium split up into 2 doses at different times of the day. only so much calcium can be absorbed by the body at a time

5.    Mixed carotenes like beta carotene – 3 – 6mg per day

6.    Coenzyme Q10 – 50 mg per day unless you’re at risk of heart disease, in which case take 100 mg per day

7.    Phosphatidyl serine (PS) and acetyle-l-carnitine – take 100 – 300 mg PS, and 500 – 2000 mg ALC

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I'm just having my uterus removed (it's enlarged and prolapsed and is causing alot of issues…I'm not having any bleeding problems etc,) my tubes and ovaries will be left alone. I know I won't get a period any longer, but since I won't be needing hormones, I should be OK, right? No mood swings or any other symptoms I'm hoping. I'm not going through menopause, I've been tested via bloodwork and also a uterine biopsy.

(CBS) think detecting ovarian cancer symptoms is easy? think again. Even doctors have a hard time making the call. in part, that's because many of the symptoms, like weight gain and abdomen pain, could be a host of things, or nothing at all.

It's no small problem. Each year around 20,000 American women get ovarian cancer in the United States and yet many are not fully aware of the warning signs.

The symptoms, according to Medline are:

- Heavy feeling in pelvis- Pain in lower abdomen- Bleeding from the vagina (especially after menopause)- Weight gain or loss- Abnormal periods- Unexplained back pain that gets worse- Gas, nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite

Sounds like a lot of things right? and sometimes there are no symptoms at all, which makes things tough on doctors. more than 25 percent of women with apparent  signs of early stage ovarian cancer are not receiving biopsies to test for it, according to new research from the University of California Davis Cancer Center.That's a big deal, because the longer you wait, the more deadly the disease becomes.

To make matters worse, there is no simple screening test for the disease. your doctor can perform several tests to help narrow it down including a rectovaginal pelvic exam, a transvaginal ultrasound, and a CA-125 blood test.

The disease overwhelming strikes older women – 90 percent are over 40 and most of those are over 60, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

There are several things that can lower your chance of getting the disease and some risk factors too. Here's the short list, according to the CDC.

LOWER YOUR RISK

- having used birth control pills for more than five years.- having had a tubal ligation (getting your tubes tied), both ovaries removed, or hysterectomy (an operation in which the uterus, and sometimes the cervix, is removed).- having given birth.

RISK FACTORS

- being middle-aged or older.- having close family members(such as your mother, sister, aunt, or grandmother) on either your mother's or your father's side who have had ovarian cancer.- having had breast, uterine, or colorectal cancer.- having an Eastern European (Ashkenazi) Jewish background.- having never given birth or having had trouble getting pregnant.- having endometriosis (a condition where tissue from the lining of the uterus grows elsewhere in the body).

For more information check out Medline, the Mayo Clinic and the CDC.

I'm just having my uterus removed (it's enlarged and prolapsed and is causing alot of issues…I'm not having any bleeding problems etc,) my tubes and ovaries will be left alone. I know I won't get a period any longer, but since I won't be needing hormones, I should be OK, right? No mood swings or any other symptoms I'm hoping. I'm not going through menopause, I've been tested via bloodwork and also a uterine biopsy.

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This column is dedicated to my wonderful friend Tina.  when were talking recently, I shared with her that I was now blogging about women’s health issues.   She suggested that I write about perimenopause and how it just doesn’t come at a convenient time.  Tina is in her late 30s, has children, a husband, and a career that keeps her very busy.   She thought that her late 30s, when her pregnancies were a thing of the past, would be a time when she didn’t have to worry about period or body changes and that her focus would not be on her physical being every month.  She asked me:  WHAT IS GOING ON?? (This statement is bolded and capitalized on purpose because that is how it sounded when she asked me the question).    It seems as if Tina is beginning her process to menopause.  Perimenopause is the transition time to menopause.  most women begin the transition between ages 39 and 51 (Women’s Health:  Contemporary Advances and Trends by Shelton M. Hisley, PhD, RNC, WHNP-BC).   if Tina had been in the room with me when I again said the word perimenopause, she would have begun looking up and shaking her head with a look of disgust on her face.  after all, what woman wants hear the word menopause, in any form, before she even reaches the age of 40??   To start, I will answer some of the questions that Tina has been thinking about:what happens during perimenopause?  During this natural transition, the ovaries produce less estrogen and progesterone, which is the reason for the menstrual cycle changes that Tina, and most women, experience.  Hormones also change structurally and functionally, which also can impact a woman physiologically, emotionally and mentally.  NICE (this is very sarcastic)!   From Tina: I understand the hormone thing, but now what?  while menopause is a natural transition for women, for some of us, the transition can play havoc with our being.  Periods change and can become irregular, heavier or, for some, lighter.  The frustration is that the regularity we could track on the calendar isn’t so regular any more.  therefore, our period predictions and behavior that we use to prepare every month, is off kilter.   OK, now I will share:  I was travelling on a train in Europe with my daughter, sharing a 6 seat first class room with 4 strangers when all of a sudden I got cramps and didn’t feel that great.  I went to the ladies room and noticed that the crotch of my khaki pants wasn’t khaki any longer.   while I know this is yuck, can you imagine walking back into the car, sitting down and trying to do subtle charades with my daughter to get her to pull the suitcase off of the rack above and remove my raincoat?  To help, I glanced down,  she saw what my angst was concerning and about fell over.  In any case, I managed the situation with her help and I don’t think anyone else saw.   believe me when I say I understand what teens go through when they are fearful that they might leak at school.  Perimenopause wasn’t my friend that day.  Next, my hair is changing or is that my imagination?  I am getting hair in places that I never had it…and, I know that is NOT my imagination: Lower levels of estrogen impact many body systems.  Some women report the appearance of facial hair, as well as darker, thicker and coarser hair in their genital area, underarms, back, chest and lower abdomen.  also, some report that their hair on their head is getting thinner, or changing texture or maybe even loosing its curl.  what I suggested to Tina and will suggest to all reading this is that if you are going through the changes that might suggest perimenopause, schedule a checkup with their health care provider (HCP).  First, you want to make certain that there are no underlying more serious problems causing the symptoms.   also, your HCP will be able to offer some suggestions or treatment possibilities for what you can do about any irritating or more disturbing symptoms.  there are a lot of other changes that your body is beginning to experience, as part of perimenopause, that I haven’t addressed in my blog and that are certainly worth knowing about.   The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has produced a pamphlet titled: Midlife Transitions Perimenopause to Menopause that provides information on the topic you may find informative and helpful.  The link is below.  acog.org/publications/patient_education/ab013.cfmBefore I end, I feel I must address one of my pet peeves, false advertising for untested over-the-counter cures.  there are so many pseudo remedies that haven’t gone through rigorous clinical testing to ensure the accuracy of claims that are being made.   In the advertising for those kinds of OTC products, they sometimes state that they can solve all of your perimenopause symptoms.  if you have tried some of those things and they are working, then fine.  however, some of that stuff can be dangerous and can interact with prescription medications you may be taking.  along with that, they can be expensive and untested for what they claim.  My advice is to be a cautious and a wise consumer.  I really belive that the next phase of your life could be fabulous.  your kids are getting older, more independent and may even be out of the house going to school.   you know what you like to do and how you like to experience the world.   you have more time for exercise (walking is free), volunteering (helping others always makes me feel better) and for reading and watching your favorite shows (DVD can save up shows until you have time to watch).  So I hope you are enjoying life and get past all of the perimenopause symptoms with a great attitude and only good health.Lastly, for those experiencing period changes and whose current products aren’t working as well as you would like, you can visit the always and Tampax websites for some help with product selections.  there you will find product selectors that can help as you readjust how you manage your period.  also there are coupons and free sample offers.  I have pasted the links below should you want to visit there.    tampax.com/en-US/products/products.aspx?utm_source=blogher&ut…always.com/products/perfectpad.jsp?utm_source=blogher&utm_med…