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Injuries of the head and spine are a major cause of death, disability, and

0. Wearing seat belts.
1. When appropriate, wearing approved helmets.
2. Preventing falls.
3. Obeying rules in sports and recreational activities.
4. Avoiding inappropriate use of drugs.
5. Inspecting work and recreational equipment periodically.
6. Thinking and talking about safety.
7. Prevent and treat osteoporosis.

Always wear seat belts, including shoulder restraints, when driving or riding in automobile. Be sure all passengers also wear them. airbags, provide additional protection. All small children riding in a car must be in approved safety seats correct for the child’s age and weight.

Wearing helmets and eyewear:

Helmets can prevent many needless injuries to the head and spine.

Any open form of transportation, such as a motorcycle, a moped, and even a bicycle, exposes the head and spine to injury. Wearing a helmet can help reduce such injuries. The ideal helmet, some-times called a “full-face helmet,” protects the lower face and jaw and has a large, clear or tinted face shield. Bicycle riders should wear helmets appropriate for the type of riding. In all cases, the helmet should be the correct size and fit comfortably and securely.

Preventing falls:

Most falls occur around the home. Young children and the elderly are frequently victims. You can take precaution to prevent falls. For example floors should be of a nonslip type, avoid using marble in swimming pools. Stairs should have handrails. Small carpets should be secured to the floor with double-sided tape. Clean up any spills promptly. The bathroom should be safe for all those using it. If necessary, install handrails by the bathtub and toilet, make sure hallways are well lit.

Participants in sports or recreational activities should know their own physical limitations. Proper protective equipment is necessary for any activity in which serious injury may occur. Everyone must know and follow the rules. Rules not only make the activity fair, they also help prevent injuries.

Alcohol and other drugs used inappropriately such as lexotan, ativan, and valium, contribute to many serious motor vehicle collisions and water-related injuries that result in head and spine injuries. Drugs impair judgment and reflexes causing your body to respond abnormally. Drugs can give the user a feeling of false confidence. Under the influence of drugs, a person might not brake the car quickly enough, or might dive into shallow water. Prescription medication can also have side effects, such as drowsiness, that can make driving or operating machinery dangerous. Always follow your physician’s directions and the directions on medication labels.

You should start talking to your children about safety early and continuously.

Teach them the proper way of crossing the street when they are young. Guide them to the safest areas in the neighborhood where they can play. Instruct them about the safety rules when riding their bikes, and most importantly spend time with them, be their role model, and teach them how to handle peer pressure.

Osteoporosis is a disease that affects older persons especially women over the age of fifty. It is caused by a deficit in sexual hormones, or as a side effect of certain medication such as Steroids. Genetics play an important role in the predisposition to this disease.

Osteoporosis significantly increases the chance of fractures such as hip fractures, or compression fractures of the vertebrae. Fracture of the ribs can occur even after minor traumas such as coughing.

There is a special radiologic test to screen for this disease. The test is called Bone Desitometry.

Treating this disease is relativity easy if diagnosed early, by using medications such as Calcium, Fosamax, Calcitonin and Estrogens.

Post menopausal women are more prone to this disease. It is strongly recommended that they have this test done. Even younger females can benefit from this test, by checking the stock of Calcium in their bones, and their risk of developing Osteoporosis at older age, so that they can start Calcium supplements to prevent the progression of this disease.

If a woman was diagnosed with Osteoporosis, it is important that she takes precautions to avoid any fall or trauma, as this may induce a fracture.

-The next issue will be: “The blues, is it depression or just too much stress”?