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Osteoperosis and Osteonecrosis in Women
20th July 2007
I think people deliberately come up with the most horrible names for diseases that they can think of...
Take 'Jaw death' for instance.
Yes, I know... ugh.
It's a horrible term. But unfortunately, it's what many woman are getting these days. And a lot of high-priced lawyers argue that it's down to a drug called 'Fosamax'.
This is an expensive drug prescribed to women with osteoperosis. But it now stands accused of being linked to a disease called osteonecrosis...
Or in layman's terms, 'Jaw death'.
This is not only very painful, it can cause infection, breakdown of the jawbone, and ulcerations in the lining of the mouth.
While investigating this story, I visited a few forums and read what real people are saying about this drug and its side-effects.
It made shocking reading...
Here's one woman's experience...I took fosamax for 1 year. During that year I had 2 tooth fractures that were a mystery. I take religious care of my teeth and couldn't understand how this could happen.
After the second fracture I mentioned the fact that I was on this drug to my dentist. He said he knew of no issues with this drug and teeth. I am now convinced that the drug caused these teeth problems. I was told my bone scan was fine and to discontinue the use last year. I have had no dental issues since.
I will never take it again. And it's not just the mouth that women claim is affected. Here's another online testimony ...
I have been taking Fosamax for about three years. In the beginning it seemed to have helped. But my bone scan worsened and she put me on another medication. It made me feel like I was having a heart attack.
My doctor said it was my esophagus. My doctor took me off of it and put me back on Fosamax. I am only now realizing that this medication is making me feel terrible.
This past year my chest hurt so bad that I could not wear a bra. The pressure was terrible. I also have frequent heart flutterings. My bones also hurt especially in my elbows, ankles and hips. I have frequent pain in my right back under my ribs.
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Not surprisingly, this $3 billion-a-year osteoporosis drug has been taken to court.
It's an old story isn't it? Just when you thought it was safe to back to go into the water after Vioxx and the other suspect drugs.
However, there are some natural - and even TASTY - ways you can help strengthen your bones.
4 natural ways to build up bone strengthFirst, get some more calcium into your diet by leafy green vegetables. Also cheese, sardines, seeds, nuts and broccoli. Although perhaps not all in the same meal.
Add to this some calcium supplements and your bones will be laughing. (Not literally, of course).
Secondly,. You should boost your intake of vitamin D and magnesium. They can help prevent the loss of calcium from your bones. This is particularly important after the menopause.
Try adding chickpeas, prunes and peanuts into your daily diet.
Thirdly, avoid refined carbohydrates and sugar. They acidify the blood and drain the calcium from your bones.
And finally.... this is the tough one... but you should Do a bit more exercise.
Now, by this I don't mean it's time to get oiled up and enter a women's body building competition... but it's seriously worth doing some gentle weight training.
Do a light session for about 20 minutes a day. Nothing heavy and check with your doctor that this will be okay for you.
Revealed! The gluten link to osteoporosisAs I dug a bit deeper into the osteoporsis story, I found some interesting informaiton about a link to gluten...
In 2005 a study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine showed that coeliac disease (CD) was much more common among people who suffered from osteoporosis.
When you have coeliac disease, your intestines can't absorb vital nutrients like calcium. As you've seen, calcium is ESSENTIAL for those at risk of osteoporosis, as are other vitamins.
And the main culprit behind celiac disease?
Gluten, which is found in grains like barley, rye, oats and wheat. Also flour, pasta, and noodles... and barley based drinks, barley fruit drinks, malted drinks, and beer.
So think about trying a gluten free diet. Make sure you talk to your doctor first.
Yes, it means you'll have to avoid all of the above foods, unfortunetely. Although some doctors will say that oats are permitted. (That said, the Coeliac Society advise against including oats in a gluten-free diet.)
It's definitely the only natural way to reverse celiac disease, and this can only be good for your chances with osteoperosis.
I hope all this helps. For more free information go to the National Osteoporosis Society website. Click here:
www.nos.org.uk
Yours, as ever,
Ray Collins
The Good Life Letter |
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