FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 18, 2005
Contact: Cyndi Alvarado (936) 760-7860
The Woodlands, TX -- Osteoporosis: It's not just "your grandmother's disease. We all need to take better care of our bones." That's what U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Richard H. Carmona is saying in the first report on bone health ever issued by a U.S. Surgeon General. The public is invited to find out how to minimize the risks and help prevent the onset of osteoporosis during an open forum lead by one of Sadler Clinic's Rheumatologist, Dr. Frank Parke, on Saturday, May 7, at 10:00 a.m. in the Future Court on the first level of The Woodlands Mall. The title of the presentation is "Osteoporosis: Risk Factors, Diagnosis, and Treatment."
Osteoporosis is an age-associated condition resulting in decreased bone density, which leads to a greatly increased risk of fractures, most often caused by a fall to the floor. Osteoporosis is the most common cause of those fractures, according to the U.S. Surgeon General.
By 2020, roughly 14 million Americans over age 50 are expected to have osteoporosis and another 47 million to have low bone mass. "Because osteoporosis is a silent disease that often does not manifest symptoms until a fracture has occurred," commented Parke, "it's vitally important to provide the information people need in order not to be caught off guard by this disease."
Parke's presentation will cover four basic areas: defining osteoporosis and its symptoms; explaining risk factors that may make an individual more likely to develop osteoporosis; how osteoporosis is diagnosed; and treatment options. "Part of my goal is to clear up some myths," said Parke. "For example, many people believe that invasive testing is needed to diagnose osteoporosis, when, in fact, the bone density scan used to diagnose the disease is totally non-invasive, fast, and painless. Another myth is that osteoporosis affects only women, but the truth is that many men suffer from osteoporosis as well."
Dr. Parke joined Sadler Clinic in February 2005. He earned his doctor of medicine degree in 1998 from The University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston, where he later served as Chief Resident and also completed his fellowship in Rheumatology. He is board certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.
For more information, contact Cyndi Alvarado at 936.760.7860 or calvarado@sadler.com