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Osteoporosis, a ‘‘thinning” of the body’s bone
structure, is the 12th leading cause of death in the
United States, yet many of its victims have no idea
they are vulnerable until it is too late.
“Osteoporosis is a silent disease with no early-
warning signs,” says Dr. William Peck, chairman of
the 1984 National Institute of Health Concensus Panel
on Osteoporosis. “The first sympton is almost always
a bone fracture, usually in the spine, hip or wrist. The
bones become so fragile that a vertebra can break just
from getting out of bed in the morning.”
Bone loss is particularly severe in post-menopausal
women. While there is no proven method to add new
bone and reverse the decline, good preventative
disease.
John Pekkanen, writing in the November Reader’s
Digest, declares that adequate calcium is the corner-
stone of any diet to prevent osteoporosis.
“The NIH panel recommends that pre-menopausal
women get 1000 mg. of calcium daily, the equivalent of
three eight-ounce glasses of low-fat milk alone,” he
writes. ‘‘Post-menopausal women not on estrogen-
replacement therapy should consume 1500 mg. a day.”
The sad fact is their calcium intake is far short of
that goal.
only about 450 mg. of calcium in their diet, and studies
show a disturbing trend toward even lower amounts,”
he continues. Moreover, alcohol, caffeine and nicotine
minerals.
Along with diet two other factors are seen to be
helpful in avoiding osteoporosis. One is exercise,
which increases bone mass and reduces bone loss.
How much exercise and what kind have not been
determined, but anything that puts mechanical stress
on the bones is helpful.
Finally, estrogen-replacement therapy is recom-
mended. The hormone estrogen decreases sharply at
the onet of menopause and so does a women’s ability
to absorb calcium. ‘Estrogen replacement poses a
risk-benefit question,” Pekkanen notes, ‘because it
does increase slightly the risk of endometrial cancer.
By including another hormone, progesterone, the risk
of endometrial cancer appears to diminish, and bone
loss may be slowed even further.”
—
Workshop held
A group of nurse’s aides from seven local nursing homes participated in a workshop entitled *‘A
Positive Approach to Long Term Care’’ which was held at Little Flower Manor, Wilkes-Rarre:
The program, co-sponsored by Penn State Wilkes-Barre and the Wyoming Valley Nursing Home.
Administration Group, provided an in-depth look at the nursing home resident and his-her
special needs. Shown here are, from left, seated, Heidi Anderson, Lucy McDermott, and Mary
Atherholt, program participants from Leader Nursing and Rehabilitation Center East. Standing,
from left: Sandra Belden, M.S.W., program instructor; Ina Lubin, continuing education, Penn
State Wilkes-Barre; Tom Sweeney, adminstrator, Meadows Nursing Center; Joe Booth,
J
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Course completed
Students of Nesbitt Memorial Hospital's course for improved babysitting recently completed all
requirements and earned their certificates. Instructors Carol O'Malley, R.N., and Judith Letukas,
R.N., familiarized teens, 12-16 years old, witht the proper techniques of babysitting and the
principles of child care. Special emphasis was placed on safety for infants and young children,
cardio-pulmonary resuscitation and first aid treatment. Shown here are, from left, seated, Lisa
Dydynski, Plymouth, Sandy Savakinas, Pittston; Jodi Ann Gillow, Avoca; Jen Pugh, Kingston;
Melinda Ostrowski, Wilkes-Barre; and Jennifer Keating, Wilkes-Barre. Standing, carol O'Malley,
R.N., instructor; Dawn Simms, Trucksville; Michelle Shemo, Shavertown; Mary Lilley, Wilkes-
Barre; Stacie Williams, Wilkes-Barre; Jennifer Lasman, Forty Fort; Lora Appel, Luzerne; Dawn
Appel, Luzerne; Joanne Derwin, Plymouth; Benidicta Tinnes, Swoyersville; Michelle McCabe,
Plains; and Karen Young, Plymouth.
576 Wyoming
Nurses Bags
Doctor's Kits
Stethoscopes
Blood Pressure Units
Cervical Pillows
If you are a smoker, you probably
hear it everywhere. “Quit smok-
ing,” say your friends, neighbors
and maybe your family.
Perhaps someday you would quit,
except for all those people preach-
ing at you - and that quitting just
seems too hard to do.
It can be done. Over a million and
a half Pennsylvanians alone have
stopped smoking in recent years.
Many of them learned how to quit
with help from the Monroe-Noxen
Rural Health Center. They offer
support and direction to interested
smokers.
Kicking the habit doesn’t have to
be so difficult. You can stop smok-
ing by finding the method that is
easiest and least painful.
Before you actually stop smoking,
think about a way that is best for
you. Would you quit all at once or
do it by gradually withdrawing?
Some smokers prepare themselves
by reading self-help guides, attend-
ing smoking clinics or using prod-
ucts such as nicotine chewing gum.
There are many ways to persuade
yourself that smoking wastes your
time, money and health. Write down
the major reasons why you want to
stop smoking. Try to pinpoint those
situations, locations and activities
that trigger a need for a cigarette.
Draw up a contract with a good
friend who can encourage yuou,
particularly when your will power
weakens. More important, be your
own friend and reward yourself for
a job well-done.
Your attitude is most important
for overcoming the smoking habit.
Start thinking of yourself as a non-
7
Shower Seats
Bath Rails
Bath Benches
Grab Bars
Attends Briefs
smoker instead of an ex-smoker.
Soon after quitting you will begin
feeling better about yourself. Even
within 24 hours, youll notice. a
difference. Along will come fresher
breath, a disappearing cough and
an end to smoke odors in your hair
and clothes.
When you stop smoking, you gain
control over your life. Your body
repairs the damage caused by
smoking and the money you burned
away on cigarettes can be saved or
spent on other pleasures.
If you need help, contact Rural
have a wealth of information, plans
and advice to help you stop smok-
ing. We won’t preach at you. For
good health, we want you to choose
for yourself.