about bone disease

In support of the Department of Health's (DOH) drive this October to promote bone and joint health, please take time to read the article below to know more about common bone diseases.

What is Bone Disease?

Bone diseases are conditions that result in the impairment of normal bone function and can make bones weak.

• Weak bones should not just be excused as a natural part of aging.
• Strong bones begin in childhood.
• People of all ages can improve their bone health.

The most common bone disease is osteoporosis.

• Osteoporosis is characterized by low bone mass and deterioration of bone structure.
• Osteoporosis can be prevented, as well as diagnosed and treated.

Low bone mass means that bones have less than optimal amounts of calcium and other minerals that make them strong.

• As a result of low bone mass, bones become weak and break, or can fracture more easily.
• Bone fractures often occur from falling or other common accidents. Spine fractures can occur while doing daily activities without any trauma.

Other bone diseases include Paget’s disease and osteogenesis imperfecta.

• Paget’s disease causes skeletal deformities and fractures. It affects older men and women.
• Osteogenesis imperfecta is an inherited disorder that causes brittle bones and frequent bone fractures in children.

Why are Health Bones Important?

A healthy skeletal system with strong bones is essential to overall health and quality of life.

• Strong bones support us and are the framework for our muscles.
• Bones are a storehouse for vital minerals needed to live.
• Strong bones protect the heart, lungs, brain, and other organs from injury.

Weak bones often result in painful and debilitating fractures.

• Each year, 1.5 million Americans suffer a fracture because of weak bones.
• The most common breaks are of the wrist, spine, and hip.

Who is at Risk?

Many people do not know that their bone health is in jeopardy.

• Osteoporosis is a silent disease until a fracture occur.
• Four times as many men and nearly three times as many women have osteoporosis than report having the disease.
• 
  

An estimated 10 million Americans over the age of 50 have osteoporosis. Another 34 million have low bone mass.

• If immediate action is not taken, half of all Americans over 50 will have weak bones from osteoporosis and low bone mass by 2020.
• This could cause the number of hip fractures in the United States to double or even triple by 2040.

Bone disease affects women and men of all ethnicities.

• The risk of osteoporosis is highest among women. It is higher in White and Asian women, but still occurs in Black, Hispanic, and American Indian and Alaska Native women.
• Bone disease is a risk for both men and women.

How do you Prevent Osteoporosis?

Be physically active every day.

• More than half of all Americans do not get enough physical activity to strengthen their bones.
• Children and teens should get at least an hour of physical activity every day. Jumping rope, running, skateboarding, and riding bikes are enjoyable activities that also build strong bones.
• Adults should get at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity every day. Simple activities like walking and stair climbing will strengthen the bones that are exercised.

Eat a healthy diet.

• The average American eats far too little calcium and vitamin D for good bone health.
• High levels of calcium can be found in milk, leafy green vegetables, soybeans, yogurt, cheese, and fortified orange juice.
• Vitamin D is produced in the skin by exposure to the sun and is found in fortified milk and other foods. For those individuals not getting enough calcium and vitamin D in the diet, supplements can be helpful.
  
  

  Calcium and Vitamin D Requirements

  Age Calcium (mg/day) Vitamin D (IU/day)

  0-6 months 210 200

  6-12 months 270 200

  1-3 years 500 200

  4-8 years 800 200

  9-18 years 1300 200

  18-50 years 1000 200

  51-70 years 1200 400

  Over 70 years 1200 600

  (A cup of milk or fortified orange juice has about 300 mg of calcium and 50 IU of vitamin D.)

  
  

  
  Get a bone mineral density test.
  

  • All women over 65 and anyone who has a bone fracture after age 50 should get a bone density test.
  • Others with significant risk factors should also get a bone density test.
  • Bone density tests use x-rays or sound waves to measure the strength of the bones.
  • Bone density tests are safe, painless, quick (5-10 minutes) and indicate the health of bones.

  
  Reduce the risk of falling.
  

  • Falls are not just the result of getting older. Most falls can be prevented.
  • As you age, falls become more dangerous.

  
  Source:
  
  http://www.dsls.usra.edu/meetings/bonehealth_2005/information/factsheet1.pdf

warning about hold-up modus operandi

This repost warning about a hold-up modus operandi was received from an e-group citing the original sender as "mary ruth causing" dated Thursday, 9 October, 2008.

Dear friends,

I'd like to share a story of what happened to me last Monday, October 6, which appears to be a modus operandi done by people with criminal intentions. My purpose for sharing this with you is to forewarn you of such incidents so that you may keep yourselves safe.

At about a quarter to 7 in the evening, last Monday, I left the office and walked out of Tektite building towards San Miguel Avenue, Ortigas, to ride a cab. It was just right after a brief drizzle, so the roads were almost empty of cars and people, although it was still a bit early. I'm accustomed to going home by myself if I feel like it, and riding cabs without any problems for the longest time.

I was walking along Exchange Road in front of our building, and have already crossed Pearl Drive, when I saw a cab slowly cruising along Exchange Road from San Miguel Avenue. It was an old, a bit dilapidated, white (seemingly) Toyota Corolla, with a yellow-lighted "taxi" on the roof, with black scrawl of the taxi's "name" on the side (I didn't notice the name written there). It didn't have any passengers on board and I thought it a bit odd that a passenger-less cab would be coming from San Miguel Avenue towards Tektite at a time when taxis are supposedly full. I was more accustomed to seeing taxis with no passengers coming from Pearl Drive towards Tektite on its way out back towards EDSA or in the oppposite direction of C-5. But it didn't quite get to me. I was tired and needed to go home to rest. I just thought that the driver was trying to get passengers.

I flagged down the slow moving taxi and got in. I said I was going towards EDSA, so the cab went its usual familiar route of rounding the one-way Exchange Road, out to San Miguel Avenue, left to Megamall, and right towards EDSA. I normally would text Tony of the plate number of the taxi, but at that time, I didn't. I normally would check the locks of the car doors, but this time, I only locked the ones on the front and back passenger seats (right side, because I saw that the left side door was locked). Everything was normal, except that it was still going its slow pace. The driver was a slim-built, middle-aged man, with balding head (some hairs on the side), wore a baseball cap and a worn-out but decent white polo jacket.

Near the foot of the flyover towards Ortigas Avenue and EDSA, he requested me in a kindly manner to please move to the other end of the passenger seat because "ma-fla-flat na po yung gulong ko. Spare lang yan e." where I was sitting. I was sitting at the right side of the passenger seat at the back, and promptly moved to the left side. I was even able to converse with him, saying "a ganun ba? Hindi ba delikado yun na tumatakbo tayo sa EDSA na pa-flat na gulong n'yo?" "Hindi po, malapit lang naman po kayo, di ba? Kaya pa po yun," he smilingly said. And, all along, we were slowly moving across the flyover at EDSA. After the flyover, he slowly veered towards the inner side of the yellow lane, but I thought it was because "inaalalayan niya yung sasakyan."

When the taxi crossed the gate of Corinthian Gardens, it further slowed down, and I saw from afar two men seemingly waiting for a bus. When the taxi neared the two men, they gestured towards the taxi, and it suddenly dawned on me that this could be a hold-up. I initially tried getting the lock of the door to my side open, and was stricken by horror that it didn't budge. It seemed to be jammed (or perhaps child-locked, on hindsight). And the horror of horrors happened. The taxi stopped by the two men, and the driver announced, "'wag ka gagawa ng iskandalo, hold-up 'to," and promptly opened the locked doors on the right side doors of the front and back passenger seats. Everything went fast. The two men briskly went in, one at the front passenger seat, the other beside me on my right. I thought in horror "this can't be happening to me!" All I can scream was "ay! ay! Diyos ko! Diyos ko!" The driver said to the two men, "wag n'yong sasaktan 'yan, mabait si ma'am." And, to me, "pera lang ang kailangan namin. Hindi ka masasaktan kung susundin mo kami." One of the two men was also middle-aged, slim-built, with balding hair. The other was younger, about in his mid- to late-twenties, gaunt-looking, with high cheek bones, with a thick head of hair. He struck me as someone who was taking drugs.

The next two hours were a gruelling ordeal. They rummaged through my bag and got my money, ATM and credit cards, cellphones, and my jewelry, including my wedding ring. They gave back my bag and wallet, though, but without the money and the cards. We spent the hours going around EDSA from Kamuning to Quezon Avenue, stopping at banks where one of the men went to the ATM machines to try and get cash from my savings ATM and credit cards. They didn't let me out of the taxi to do the transactions. While one man did the transactions at the ATMs, the taxi kept going round and round the Kamuning and Quezon Avenue u-turns. They took away my glasses so that I can't see where we're going. But I was familiar with the places we passed - Timog Avenue, Agham Road, near the Napocor area, and back again to EDSA to go to the ATMs for transactions. They pressed me for the PIN of the credit cards, but I didn't memorize them, but gave them some numbers that I'm not even sure of.

Towards the end, they were pissed off because they couldn't get through the credit cards, and I was afraid that they'd do me in. But, in the end, they let me go, the driver warning me sternly, "wag kang lilingon sa kaliwa o kanan. Dire-direcho lang, kung hindi, babarilin talaga kita." They gave a 100 peso bill "pamasahe para makauwi." They dropped me off at Agham Road, near the Philippine Children's Medical Center (formerly Lungsod ng Kabataan) at about 9:30 p.m. There was no one in sight, another light drizzle has already passed. One of the men accompanied me out of the taxi, pushed me forward, and ran back to the taxi. That's when I ran and ran towards Quezon Avenue until I boarded a jeepney at a stop light. The kindly jeepney driver motioned me to a mobile police patrol when we passed by one, and I finally came to the police precinct at Kamuning EDSA to tell my tale. I didn't even get to see the taxi's plate number.

They informed me there that that has been a modus operandi of these criminal elements, plying the route of Quezon Avenue, Timog, Agham, even Kamuning areas. They also would give some money for "pamasahe." They would say it's for a sick wife, etc.

I have talked to some employees of a company in the Ortigas area who fell victim to the same modus operandi. Same taxi, same description of the driver, same alibi about a flat tire, requesting the passenger to move to the left side of the passenger seat, where the door's lock is jammed. Same giving of the 100 peso bill at the end of the hold-up. Last December, an employee rode the dubious taxi at SM Megamall at about 9 p.m. and the hold-up was announced when some men boarded the taxi at Star Mall. The person was held-up until 11 p.m. The other, with the person's 6-year old child, boarded the taxi at the Robinson's Galleria and was also held-up by men who went inside the taxi. I myself, boarded the taxi near where I work, imagine that. And, the security guards were just a few meters away.

Please be forewarned of this modus operandi. We're facing harder times, and December is nearing. Take extra care, friends. As for me, I believe it was the prayers that helped me. All throughout the ordeal, my Savior was there, guiding me in what to say or do so as not to aggravate the situation until freedom came. They didn't touch or harm me. Praise God!

God bless us,
Ruth

DOH releases list of other milk products tested by BFAD

Duque reveals second batch list of other milk products tested by BFAD

Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III today released the second batch list of milk and milk products tested by the Bureau of Food and Drugs. Of the 22 samples tested, only one product, JollyCow Slender High Calcium Low Fat Milk (more calcium and vitamin D) in a one liter package, tested positive for melamine.

The 21 milk products which were negative of melamine include: Anmum Materna Milk Powder (Chocolate Flavor) 400g, Bear Brand Choco 300g, Bear Brand Sterilized Milk 200ml, Cadbury Choclairs, Carnation Calcium Plus Non-Fat Milk Powder, Klim Instant Full Cream Milk Powder, Milo Chocolate Bar 40g, Monmilk Breakfast Milk Walnut Milk Beverage, Monmilk High Calcium Low Fat Milk 1 liter, Monmilk Deluxe Pure Milk, Nestle Chocolate-Flavored Ice Cream, Nestle Dairy Farm Pure Milk, Nestle Fresh Milk 1 liter, Nestle Kit Kat, Nestle Milk Chocolate 40g, Nestle Pops Ice Cream, Nestle Vanilla-Flavored Ice Cream, Nestogen 1 DHA(now Nestogen One), Nesvita Cereal Milk Drink, Nutri-Express Milk Drink (Green Apple Flavor) 500ml, and Prime Roast Instant Nutritious Cereal 28g.