Get A Bone Density Test!

A bone density test measures your bone strength and if you are at risk for osteoporosis.  The test is painless and is like an X-ray scan of your body and takes about 15 minutes.

If you are a woman age 65 or older, schedule a bone density test.  If you are a woman between 50 and 64, ask your doctor if you need one.  If you are a man over 65, discuss it with your doctor.

Osteoporosis is a bone disease that has no signs or symptoms.  It weakens bones and makes them more likely to break, especially bones in the hip, spine and wrist.  It is most common in older women.  One in two women and one in four men over age 50 will break a bone in their lifetime because of osteoporosis.

To protect your bone health, get enough calcium and vitamin D.  The calcium shopping list includes low fat or fat free milk, cheese and yogurt, almonds, broccoli and greens, orange juice with added calcium, and calcium supplements.  Bet enough vitamin D from salmon or tuna, fat free or low fat milk with vitamin D, some cereals and juices, yogurt with added vitamin D, and vitamin D supplements.

Stay active!  Physical activity slows bone loss.  Moderate aerobic activity and strengthening exercises can make a big difference.

Source:  National Health Information Center

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc.,
Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics
(661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com
5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

Women With Lupus: Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis affects 44 million Americans.  For those with lupus, some treatments increase the risk of the disease, resulting in weaker bones and a greater chance of fracture.  In fact, women with lupus experience osteoporosis-related fractures almost five times more often than other women.  Therefore, bone health is important.

Bone Loss

How can you keep your bone strong?  Get moving!  Activities, even walking, that strain bone, both stimulate bone growth and reduce bone loss.  In addition, your lupus physician will perform bone density testing, determine nutrient values in your blood, and prescribe medications and supplements to prevent osteoporosis.

Source:  Lupus Foundation of America

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics (661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com 5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

Osteoporosis Medications and Your Dental Health

Bone Density

As we grow older, our bones begin to lose their density and strength, especially after the age of 50. Many factors affect bone density, including diet, physical activity, family history, hormones, lifestyle and certain conditions and medications.

Osteoporosis--porous bone--is a disease that weakens bones, especially hip, spine and wrist, and makes them more likely to break. It affects about 10 million Americans, 8 million of whom are women. The disease affects more women than cancer, heart disease and stroke combined. An additional 34 million Americans have osteopenia, or low bone density, and are at risk for developing osteoporosis.

Broken bones, as a result of osteoporosis, will affect 50% of women and 25% of men over the age of 50, according to the National Osteoporosis Foundation. To prevent broken bones, many people with low bone density or osteoporosis take drugs called bisphosphonates (fosomax, boniva, actonel, reclast, etc.). Studies indicate that, in many people, these medications help reduce the chance of breaking bones by reducing bone loss and increasing bone density.

Osteonecrosis of the Jaw

In rare cases, a condition known as osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) has been reported in patients taking these medications. This rare but serious condition can cause severe damage to the jawbone. 94% of those diagnosed with ONJ are patients with cancer who are receiving or have received repeated high doses of medication through an intravenous infusion.

The benefits of these medications greatly outweigh the very low risk of developing ONJ. You should not stop taking these medications without consulting your health care provider. There is no known prevention for ONJ. However, regular dental visits and excellent oral hygiene practices may be the best way to reduce your risk.

Source: American Dental Association, JADA, vol. 142, #11, 1320, Nov. 1, 2011

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics (661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com 5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

Get a Bone Density Test

How to check your bones

A bone density test measures your bone strength and if you are at risk for osteoporosis. The test is painless and is like an x-ray scan of your body and takes about 15 minutes.

If you are a woman age 65 or older, schedule a bone density test.  If you are a woman between 50 and 64, ask your doctor if you need one.  If you are a man over 65, discuss it with your doctor.

Osteoporosis is a bone disease that has no signs or symptoms.  It weakens bones and makes them more likely to break, especially bones in the hip, spine and wrist.  It is most common in older women.  One in two women and one in four men over age 50 will break a bone in their lifetime because of osteoporosis.

To protect your bone health, get enough calcium and vitamin D.  The calcium shopping list includes low fat or fat free milk, cheese and yogurt, almonds, broccoli and greens, orange juice with added calcium, and calcium supplements.Get enough vitamin D from salmon or tuna, fat free or low fat milk with vitamin D, some cereals and juices and yogurt with added vitamin D, and vitamin D supplements.

Stay active!  Physical activity slows bone loss.  Moderate aerobic activity and strengthening exercises can make a big difference.

Source:  National Health Information Center

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics (661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com 5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

Osteoporosis Medications and Your Dental Health

Bone Density

As we grow older, our bones begin to lose their density and strength, especially after the age of 50. Many factors affect bone density, including diet, physical activity, family history, hormones, lifestyle and certain conditions and medications.

Bone Disease

Osteoporosis--porous bone--is a disease that weakens bones, especially hip, spine and wrist, and makes them more likely to break. It affects about 10 million Americans, 8 million of whom are women. The disease affects more women than cancer, heart disease and stroke combined. An additional 34 million Americans have osteopenia, or low bone density, and are at risk for developing osteoporosis.

Treatment

Broken bones, as a result of osteoporosis, will affect 50% of women and 25% of men over the age of 50, according to the National Osteoporosis Foundation. To prevent broken bones, many people with low bone density or osteoporosis take drugs called bisphosphonates (fosomax, boniva, actonel, reclast, etc.). Studies indicate that, in many people, these medications help reduce the chance of breaking bones by reducing bone loss and increasing bone density.

In rare cases, a condition known as osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) has been reported in patients taking these medications. This rare but serious condition can cause severe damage to the jawbone. 94% of those diagnosed with ONJ are patients with cancer who are receiving or have received repeated high doses of medication through an intravenous infusion.

The benefits of these medications greatly outweigh the very low risk of developing ONJ. You should not stop taking these medications without consulting your health care provider. There is no known prevention for ONJ. However, regular dental visits and excellent oral hygiene practices may be the best way to reduce your risk.

Source: American Dental Association, JADA, vol. 142, #11, 1320, Nov. 1, 2011

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics (661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com 5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

Pros and Cons of Testosterone Therapy

Low Testosterone Levels

You can't listen to the radio for more than ten minutes these days without hearing a commercial for male vitality/virility products and how low testosterone levels can negatively affect your life.  Testosterone is a hormone that helps maintain men's bone density, muscle mass, fat distribution, red blood cell production and sex drive.  With age--after the age of 30--normal male testosterone levels decline about 1% per year.  This drop with normal aging results in physical changes (reduced muscle mass and increased body fat), reduced libido and sexual function, and changes in sleep patterns.  So, the focus of these commercials is the goal (fantasy) of recapturing youthful vitality.

However, the appropriate testosterone level for a normal aging male at a certain age has not been established, so therapy is left to be dictated by signs and symptoms, which can be subjective.  At the present time, there are no reputable scientific consensus studies that taking testosterone medications is of benefit for older men who are otherwise healthy.

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics (661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com 5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

Maintain Healthy Bones Throughout Life

Osteoporosis

Bones provide structure for your body, protect organs, anchor muscles and store calcium. Protecting bone health is easier than you think.  Bone is continually remodelling itself, but after the age of 30 you lose slightly more than you gain.  

The higher your peak bone mass, the less likely you are to develop osteoporosis as you age.  Some factors that affect bone health--getting older, being a woman, your race, frame size and family history--you can't change.

Prevent Bone Loss

But, there are many things you can do to prevent or slow bone loss:  Include plenty of calcium in your diet. The Institute of Medicine recommends 1,000 milligrams (mg) of calcium per day for women up to age 50 and men up to age 70.  Women over 50 and men over 70 require 1,200 mg per day. Dietary sources of calcium are dairy products, almonds, broccoli, kale, canned salmon with bones, sardines and soy products (tofu).  Vitamin D: up to age 70, at least 600 international units (IUs) daily.  Over the age of 70, 800 IUs are recommended.  Besides sunlight, sources are oily fish (tuna and sardines), egg yolks, fortified milk, and vitamin D supplements.  People who are physically inactive have a higher risk of osteoporosis, so include physical activity in your daily routine.  Weight-bearing exercises such as walking, jogging or climbing stairs for 30 minutes a day help slow bone loss.  Avoid tobacco use and more than two alcoholic drinks per day.  Anorexia and bulimia are risks for bone loss.  Stomach surgery (gastrectomy), weight-loss surgery and some conditions (Crohn's disease, celiac disease and Cushing's disease) can affect your body's ability to absorb calcium.  

For women, bone density drops dramatically due to reduced estrogen after menopause.  Your physician may recommend hormone replacement therapy, keeping in mind that there are risks associated with it.  There are medications, such as bisphosphonates (Fosomax, Boniva) designed to maintain bone mass, that your physician may recommend.  

Source:  Mayo Clinic.com  

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics (661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com 5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

The Importance of Bone Density

Osteoporosis

As we grow older, our bones begin to lose their density and strength, especially after the age of 50.  Many factors affect bone density, including diet, physical activity, family history, hormones, lifestyle and certain conditions and medications.  Osteoporosis--porous bone--is a disease that weakens bones, especially hip, spine and wrist, and makes them more likely to break.  It affects about 10 million Americans, 8 million of whom are women.  The disease affects more women than cancer, heart disease and stroke combined. 

Osteoporosis affect women than men

An additional 34 million Americans have osteopenia, or low bone density, and are at risk for developing osteoporosis.  Broken bones, as a result of osteoporosis, will affect 50% of women and 25% of men over the age of 50, according to the National Osteoporosis Foundation.  To prevent broken bones, many people with low bone density or osteoporosis take drugs called bisphosphonates (fosomax, boniva, actonel, reclast, etc.).  Studies indicate that, in many people, these medications help reduce the chance of breaking bones by reducing bone loss and increasing bone density.  

Osteonecrosis

In rare cases, a condition known as osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) has been reported in patients taking these medications.  This rare but serious condition can cause severe damage to the jawbone.  94% of those diagnosed with ONJ are patients with cancer who are receiving or have received repeated high doses of medication through an intravenous infusion.  The benefits of these medications greatly outweigh the very low risk of developing ONJ.  You should not stop taking these medications without consulting your health care provider.  There is no known prevention for ONJ.  However, regular dental visits and excellent oral hygiene practices may be the best way to reduce your risk.  

Source: American Dental Association, JADA, vol. 142, #11, 1320, Nov. 1, 2011

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics (661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com 5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309