Maryland's Health Matters - St. Joseph - Spring 2014 - (Page 8)

called a DEXA scan, is easy, painless and similar to an X-ray," says Dr. DeMusis. "Women should be screened by age 60, Hey, Ladies! spring into action earlier if they have an increased risk for osteoporosis. "Effective treatments can increase bone density," she says. "They may involve medication, a calcium-rich diet and vitamin D. And weight-bearing exercise can help strengthen bones." Towson Orthopaedic Associates, affiliated with UM St. Joseph Medical Center, has a Bone Health Center that provides evaluation and treatment of osteoporosis, including guidance in weight-bearing exercises. Turn over a new leaf for your good health Take iT To HearT The risk for heart disease increases with T age for women as well as for men, explains here's a cliché that in spring- Michele DeMusis, MD, and "is usually Suzanne Caccamese, time, your thoughts might not symptomatic until a woman suf- MD. "A striking sta- turn to spring cleaning. fers a fracture." As many as half of all tistic is that the lead- At University of Maryland women older than 50 will break a bone ing cause of death in St. Joseph Medical Center, due to osteoporosis, according to the women is heart disease. It's higher than National Institutes of Health. all the cancers combined." a new, highly experienced group of board-certified internists and a cer- "Women with osteoporosis can Suzanne Caccamese, MD The greatest risk factors for heart tified nurse practitioner, who are all develop compression fractures of the disease are smoking, hypertension women, recommend that spring is a spine, which cause loss of height. Sneez- (high blood pressure), a high choles- great time for women to take stock of ing, bending or minor trauma can cause terol level, diabetes, a family history of their health. a break if there is significant bone weak- heart disease and a sedentary lifestyle. ening. Sometimes, but not always, these "Poor diet and obesity also increase sure their doctor appointments and fractures are very painful," Dr. DeMusis one's risk," Dr. Caccamese says. screenings are up to date," says Helen explains. Other common fractures occur Gordon, MD, of Internal Medicine at the hip and wrist. "We recommend that women make of Towson. Since a woman's heart attack symptoms are often atypical-not the classic crushing chest pain-Dr. Caccamese After menopause, women develop a warns that women may delay seek- tips for women from Internal Medicine higher risk for osteo- ing treatment for a heart attack. These of Towson. porosis and should atypical symptoms include shortness of talk to their doctors breath, fatigue and unusual chest pain Here are some additional health keep BoneS STrong about screening. "A "Osteoporosis-a weakening of the bone density scan bones-is a silent disease," explains of the spine and hip, 8 Maryland's HealtH Matters Michele DeMusis, MD that is more like discomfort or fullness. Dr. Caccamese recommends that women speak with their doctors to et more women's health information at stjosephtowson.com/mhm. g http://www.stjosephtowson.com/mhm

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Maryland's Health Matters - St. Joseph - Spring 2014

Maryland's Health Matters - St. Joseph - Spring 2014
In This Issue
The Emergency Doctor Will See You .... Faster
Balancing Act
Hey, Ladies!
Serious Care For Kids
At A Glance
News And Events

Maryland's Health Matters - St. Joseph - Spring 2014