Asthma, inhalers, and your bones.If you suffer from asthma and use inhaled-cortico-steroid medications, make sure you take extra care to guard your bone health. In a three-year study on the use of inhaled in·hale v. in·haled, in·hal·ing, in·hales v.tr. 1. To draw (air or smoke, for example) into the lungs by breathing; inspire. 2. steroids for asthma among women ages 18 to 45, researchers observed a dose-related decline in bone density measured at the hip. Across all ages, as number of puffs per year increased, bone density decreased. While it is essential to control your asthma-a large percentage of sports-related deaths are linked to uncontrolled asthma attacks-you must also take every precaution at your disposal to minimize bone loss. If you use steroid inhalers, work with your doctor to ensure you are using the lowest effective dose. Make sure your diet includes adequate calcium (1,000 milligrams (mg) per day for adult men and women; 1,200 to 1,500 mg per day for adolescents, pregnant and lactating lac·tate 1 intr.v. lac·tat·ed, lac·tat·ing, lac·tates To secrete or produce milk. [Latin lact women; 1,500 mg per day for post menopausal women and men over 65). Vitamin D vitamin D Any of a group of fat-soluble alcohols important in calcium metabolism in animals to form strong bones and teeth and prevent rickets and osteoporosis. It is formed by ultraviolet radiation (sunlight) of sterols (see steroid) present in the skin. is also essential-adequate sunshine contributes to healthy vitamin D levels. Add weight training to your workouts, keep running, and have your bone density monitored regularly. If your bone density starts to decline, you may be a candidate for alendronate alendronate /alen·dro·nate/ (ah-len´dro-nat) a bisphosphonate calcium-regulating agent used in the form of the sodium salt to inhibit the resorption of bone in the treatment of osteitis deformans, osteoporosis, and hypercalcemia related , a bone-building medication, to help you maintain bone mass. Males aren't immune to medication-induced bone loss and these recommendations should also apply to men. (New England Journal of Medicine The New England Journal of Medicine (New Engl J Med or NEJM) is an English-language peer-reviewed medical journal published by the Massachusetts Medical Society. It is one of the most popular and widely-read peer-reviewed general medical journals in the world. , 2001, Vol. 345, No. 13, pp. 941-947; March 5, 2002 Meeting of the Amer. Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology immunology, branch of medicine that studies the response of organisms to foreign substances, e.g., viruses, bacteria, and bacterial toxins (see immunity). Immunologists study the tissues and organs of the immune system (bone marrow, spleen, tonsils, thymus, lymphatic ) |
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