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Dr. Mark Allara and FMA are pleased to announce Primary Care Physician Meghan Tramontozzi has joined the Middleton practice

PATRIOTIC EMPLOYER: Gregory A. Bazylewicz, M.D.
The National Committee for employer support of the Guard and Reserve recognized Dr. Bazylewicz recently for his support of the Guard and Reserve while Maureen McCarthy, NP (Family Nurse Practitioner at FMA/Manchester) was in Baghdad. Maureen was in Baghdad from May to October and was the commander of the Medical Support Squadron. Please click here to read the story which was recently published in the Salem Evening News (photo also).

Video on Health Care Reform (AAFP video, roughly 3.5 minutes long)

Swine Flu - Public Health Fact Sheet

Dr. Hugh Taylor - Recipient of Dr. Philip D. Herrick Award

Osteoporosis

New Recall System

For Our Patients on Avandia

Immunizations Schedule

Vaccine Update

Learn about Lyme Disease

OSTEOPOROSIS

Osteoporosis is a disease in the bones that causes them to become weak. Worldwide it affects 1 in 3 women and 1 in 12 men over age 50. If not prevented or treated, it can progress painlessly until a bone possibly breaks. Any bone can be affected but the most concerning bones are those in the hips and the spine. If a hip is fractured, it usually requires hospital stays and major surgery. Spine fractures can cause acute, and possibly chronic, back pain. Risk factors for osteoporosis include advanced age, thin and petite women, certain medications, white or Asian women, certain chronic diseases, family history of osteoporosis, smoking cigarettes, excessive use of alcohol and having Osteopenia which is low bone mass. Osteoporosis most commonly affects menopausal women but can occasionally affect men.

Osteoporosis is diagnosed through a bone mineral density test which is an x-ray to evaluate bone mass. It is recommended that all women over the age of 60 be screened for osteoporosis. Women under the age of 60 should be screened depending on their risk factors. Screening for men is primarily determined by their risk factors.

If you are diagnosed with osteoporosis, there are several medication alternatives to treat the disease. Our Family Medicine Associates doctors and NP's will help you determine which one is right for you. Lifestyle modification is an important part of the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis. Lifestyle changes typically include reduction in risk factors that put you at risk for osteoporosis as well as using appropriate amounts of calcium rich foods and calcium and vitamin D supplementation. The recommended intake of calcium in women over the age of 50 is 1200-1500 mg daily with 800 units of vitamin D daily. Vitamin D helps with the absorption of calcium for bone production. Exercise is also an important part of the treatment process to help with bone strengthening. Achieving a higher bone mass with exercise and good nutrition with a diet high in calcium rich foods during adolescence and middle age is important for the prevention of osteoporosis later in life.

For more information regarding osteoporosis screening and prevention, contact your health care provider.