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Women With Depression At Risk For Osteoporosis

A study from the National Institute of Mental Health has found that women who suffer from depression are more likely to enter menopause with an increased risk of bone fractures. Researchers report that 17% of women with depression had decreased bone mass in the femoral neck, compared to 2% of women who did not have depression. Additionally, low bone mass in the lumbar spine was found in 20% of depressed women, compared to 9% who were not depressed. The researchers theorized that women with depression have overactive immune systems that produce a chemical known as IL-6. This chemical is associated with bone loss as well as promoting inflammation. During adolescence, bone mass reaches its peak and begins to decline through the rest of life, thinning at a faster rate after a woman undergoes menopause. (Read more about Women With Depression At Risk For Osteoporosis)

New Treatment for Bone Re-Growth

A drug originally used to treat iron poisoning has been found to significantly boost the body's own ability to heal and re-grow injured bones, according to a study from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Researchers injected the drug desferoxamine (or DF), which is designed to reduce iron overload, into injured mouse bones. DF was found to trigger the growth of new blood vessels, which in turn initiated bone re-growth and healing. The bone density surrounding the injury more than doubled to 2.6 cubic millimeters in treated bones versus 1.2 cubic millimeters in untreated bones. Researchers say the blood vessel growth and bone healing was achieved through a cell pathway that helps the body respond to low oxygen levels, a common problem when bone fracture and disease affect blood supply. (Read more about New Treatment for Bone Re-Growth)

Restless Legs Linked to Heart Disease and Stroke

A study published in the latest issue of Neurology found that people with restless leg syndrome (RLS) have double the risk of heart disease and stroke. The study included nearly 3,500 community based participants of average age 68 years from the Sleep Heart Health Study. The researchers used information provided by participants through detailed questionnaires to establish who had RLS and who had received a diagnosis for symptoms of angina, myocardial infarction, stroke or heart failure to help determine the presence of coronary artery disease and cardiovascular disease including reports of stroke or heart failure. (Read more about Restless Legs Linked to Heart Disease and Stroke)

Specific Strength Training Relieves Chronic Neck Pain

Neck pain has become increasingly prevalent over the past two decades and is now second only to back pain, the most common musculoskeletal disorder and most common cause of disability in working Americans. Women are more likely to suffer from neck pain than are men, especially those who engage in repetitive tasks such as working at a computer keyboard. Previous studies have not proven whether or not exercise alone can treat neck pain. . However, a recent study in Arthritis Care and Research found that specific strength training exercises led to significant prolonged relief of neck muscle pain while general fitness training resulted in only minor pain reduction. (Read more about Specific Strength Training Relieves Chronic Neck Pain)

Tree Bark Found to Improve Osteoarthritis Symptoms

Osteoarthritis of the knee affects millions and is one of the five leading causes of disability among the elderly. A recent study published in the journal Nutrition Research reveals Pycnogenol, an antioxidant plant extract from the bark of the French maritime pine tree, improved physical function by 52 percent in cases of patients suffering from osteoarthritis. The condition develops due to the gradual loss of cartilage elasticity that leads to it hardening and beginning to crack. As a result, the cartilege is more prone to damage and erosion by use or injury and often leads to pain, swelling, a decrease in joint motion, stiffness, or the formation of bone spurs. Current treatments include regular exercise and pain relievers such as NSAIDS and COX-2 inhibitor pills to relieve pain and stiffness. In severe cases, cortisone shots can decrease inflammation in the joint and extreme cases include joint replacement operations. (Read more about Tree Bark Found to Improve Osteoarthritis Symptoms)

Physiotherapy Shows Benefits Following Knee Replacement Surgery

According to a recent study published on bmj.com, physiotherapy can improve the daily lives of osteoarthritis patients who have undergone knee replacement surgery. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of disability found in oler people, so total knee replacement surgery is a routinely performed procedure. Since some patients continue to experience problems with everyday tasks shortly after surgery, researchers reviewed data to determine if short term physiotherapy is an effective solution. (Read more about Physiotherapy Shows Benefits Following Knee Replacement Surgery)

Five Foot Care Myths

The American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons have heard all the myths about foot care. However, myths concerning health can have serious consequences if doctors aren't consulted to set the facts straight. Here are five podiatry myths that numerous patients have reported, and the truth behind them.

"Cutting a V notch into a toenail will relieve the pain of ingrown toenails." The reality of this myth is that cutting the nail does not affect the angle of the toenail growth. The nail will continue to grown downward into the skin and cutting a "V" may cause more problems and pain.

"If I can walk on my foot or ankle, it must not be broken." The truth is that it's very possible to walk on a broken foot or ankle but it depends on the severity of the injury and the individual threshold for pain. Continuing to walk on it can cause further damage. (Read more about Five Foot Care Myths)

Seniors Taking Calcium Supplementation Benefit From Reduced Bone Loss

A study in this week's issue of "The Lancet" finds that people over the age of 50 who take calcium supplementation have a 12% lower risk of fracture or bone loss compared to those who don't. The research team at the University of Western Sydney analyzed 17 studies involving over 50,000 people over the age of 50 who received treatment for an average of 3 and half years. They found that patients who consistantly maintained a calcium dosing regimen had a 24% reduced risk of fracture. Protection from broken bones also improved with additional doses of vitamin D supplements. (Read more about Seniors Taking Calcium Supplementation Benefit From Reduced Bone Loss)

Human Stem Cells Return Motor Function to Paralyzed Rats

Researchers from the University of California, San Diego report that experimental rats recovered from blood flow related paralysis after receiving grafts of human spinal stem cells.

When damage occurs due to loss of blood flow to the spine's neural cells, applying human neural stem cells directly to the spinal cord achieves recovery of motor function. In this specific type of paralysis, known as spinal cord ischemia, there is no mechanical damage to the spinal cord. The brain motor centers remain partially connected to the spinal cord but the loss of inhibitory neurons leads to the degeneration of muscle control in lower limbs. (Read more about Human Stem Cells Return Motor Function to Paralyzed Rats)

Alternative to Knee Replacement

For 25 years Robert Reid kept active by practicing karate, playing football, softball, and basketball. But, his love for sports took a toll on his body. Robert developed arthritis in his knees and would need surgery. (Read more about Alternative to Knee Replacement)