Loading...
The Citizen, 2003-11-26, Page 9The high cost of osteoporosis Forty per cent of women and 15 per cent of men over the age 50 will develop osteoporosis. The total economic cost of arthritis, osteoporosis and related diseases in Canada exceeds $17 billion annually. Osteoporosis is a serious disease which leads to fragility of bone and increased risk of fracture, particularly of the hip. spine and wrist. According to the Osteoporosis Society of Canada hip fractures result in death in about 20 per cent of cases and long-term disability in 50 per cent of those who survive. A total of 1.4 million Canadians suffer from osteoporosis. Dr. Jeff Dixon, director of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research Group in Skeletal Development and Remodeling and professor in the School of Dentistry and Department of Physiology and Pharmacology at the University of Western Ontario, is an expert on osteoporosis, skeletal biology, cell physiology, bones, cartilage, arthritis, and periodontal disease. “In healthy individuals, bone is constantly removed and replaced, a process known as remodeling. Excessive bone resorption combined with inadequate bone formation results in osteoporosis. Our research is providing new insights into the interactions among cells, extracellular proteins and crystals that regulate the formation and turnover of skeletal tissues. We are working with pharmaceutical and biotech companies to develop new drugs for preventing and treating osteoporosis.” Dr. Patricia Watson, assistant professor in the Departments of Medicine and Physiology and Pharmacology at Western and scientist at the Lawson Health Research Institute, is an expert on osteoporosis, bone metabolism, bone physiology and metabolic bone disease. “Osteoporosis awareness is important since much of the disease’s progression is silent. We are not aware of the gradual reduction in bone mineral density because it cannot be felt. Often the loss of bone mineral and fractures go undetected until a minor event or fall causes a large fracture. Sometimes, it is the buildup of many spinal fractures which ultimately results in loss of function and debilitating pain.” “On the other hand, it is simple to detect. A scan in a bone densitometer takes a few minutes and can give a reliable measurement of bone density. This is something everyone should be aware of and should request if they experience a number of the risk factors for osteoporosis. Some of these factors are age, approaching or post-menopausal, small frame, light skin, low calcium intake, family history and low physical activity.” The best way to prevent osteoporosis is to achieve and maintain as high a bone mass as possible. Peak bone mineral density is achieved around the age of 30 and declines from there. For women, there is a particularly steep decline in bone mass around the time of menopause. For young adults, bone mass can be maximized by ensuring an adequate intake of calcium and calcium-rich foods (1000 mg/day) and participation in regular physical activity. For adults age 50 and over, calcium intake should be adjusted to 1,200 mg/day. Exercise, particularly weight­ bearing exercise, stimulates the bones to remain strong and healthy.’ C/M/G N/CHOLSON Packaging your snowmobile vacation By Craig Nicholson (©2003 by Craig Nicholson. All rights reserved.) “Packaging” is a buzzword in the travel tourism industry. Packaging involves bundling a number of services, amenities, features and benefits into one attractively priced, added value, often all-inclusive, parcel. The idea is that consumers, instead of being confronted by a bewildering array of a la . carte choices and options, simply have to decide which package best suits their needs. The packaging approach is exemplified in the auto industry, where some manufacturers group items for one price that others offer only as a daunting list of options. Packaging is also prevalent at travel agencies, where one price can cover the cost of inclusive cruise, resort and tour vacations, that include airfare, transfers, ground transporta­ tion, lodging, meals, guides and even drinks. One-stop shopping and you know exactly what the cost of your getaway will be up front! The packaging approach is a considerably different head space than simply taking off for a tour on your own and making arrangements on the go. Yet isn’t this what many touring snowmobilers actually do? They pick a starting point and ride off into the great unknown for their week or 10 days of winter bliss without much prior planning. For them it’s part of the fun. enhances the adventure and is essential to the rugged individualism, pioneering spirit and freedom of choice that many snowmobilers value. Yet even as do-it-yourselfers, they depend on trail maps, good signage, tour books, snow shows and hospitality advertising for the information needed to find their way. However, a growing number of riders are leaning toward a more packaged experience. Some appreciate the ease or affordability that packages have brought to other areas of their lives. Others want the certainty, comfort level and pampering that can accompany a good snowmobiling package. And others simply want to have as much fun as possible, with the lowest hassles or surprises. Certainly, for snowmobilers visiting an area for the first time, packaging offers peace of mind from fears like getting lost, not having a good place to stay (or any place at all), finding fuel or getting Dashing Through * * $■kI *The Snow With* Advance TM Snowmobile Products help in the event of a breakdown or incident. Four kinds of snowmobiling packages have emerged, and each has its fans. The ultimate is paying a pre-set, mostly inclusive price for a specific tour run by a company that makes all arrangements, provides guides and even a support vehicle and sled rentals. A fully-guided tour is an excellent way to experience a new area for the first time and allows larger groups with differing experience levels to tour easily (many companies will break a larger tour into daily groups of riders with similar abilities or interests). Another way to take advantage of a package is by riding a tour route established by local clubs and tourism operators. Often these tours are named and self-guided, consisting of a specific loop, with participating hospitality establish­ ments clearly indicated. In some cases, a call to a central number can result in reservations for each night of the tour. Many individual accommodation operators also offer packages for those who identify themselves as snowmobilers. Typically, these deals include a room, along with dinner and breakfast the next morning, but sometimes there’s only a special room rate for sledders. A fourth package option involves a hotel chain that offers special snowmobiler rates in all its properties. Whatever your preference, always ask for the snowmobiler's rate when booking your lodgings — and remember, weekdays and later in March you should be able to score better deals. For more information, call 1-800 ONTARIO or click on www.ontariotravel.net, then click on Winter and Snowmobiling. Until next time remember that snowmobilers care about the environment too. For the Tour Planner and Trail Condition Reports cheek out www.ofsc.on.ca and look under Trails. Craig Nicholson is a regular contributor to Snow Goer, Canada's Snowmobiling Magazine. The Intrepid Snowmobiler also appears on radio and on Snowmobiler Television. The opinions expressed are solely those of the author. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2003. PAGE 9. Clashing It was a rough moment for these two players as they me4 in PeeWee broomball action in Blyth on Saturday afternoon. The local Black team took on Mildmay. (Vicky Bremner photo) ARCTIC CAT Sno'W^^gs What Sitow/nobiliitg's All About.™ Service to most makes of small engines Automotive farm and tire service 519-345-2248 Fax: 519-345-2790 Jim Bauer email: bktlre@bellnet.ca Mike Kells brussels.walton TRAILBLAZERS O.F.S.C. PERMITS ON SALE NOW Buy on or before Dec. 1/03 $160.00 After Dec. 1/03 $195.00 Permit outlets: B & K, Brodhagen; Middegaal Pool and Sports; Vincent's Farm Machinery; Winthrop General Store; McGavin's, Walton; G & M Auto Parts, Brussels; Radar Auto Parts, Brussels; Mitchell Tire Service, Mitchell; Dan’s Variety, Monkton. Buy before Dec. 1/03 get in on our Early Bird Draw V.I.N. A MUST (Vehicle Identification No.) DRIVER'S TRAINING COURSE DEC. 06/03 For more information and pre-register Contact Ken Hunsberger: 519-348-8025 RIDE SAFE DRIVE SOBER