Get Healthy!

Results for search "Fractures".

Health News Results - 74

Protecting Yourself From Winter Weather Injuries

Falls, frostbite, fractures: They are all potential hazards of icy winter conditions. But experts say there's a lot you can do to avoid injury when snowflakes fall.

First, stay warm.

According to the New York City Department of Health, people lose the bulk of their body heat through their heads, so scarves, hats and hoods are essential.

Other trouble spots -- ...

An Apple (and Some Blackberries) Each Day May Keep Frailty Away

You've heard of eating your spinach to stay strong, but how about loading up on your flavonols?

New research suggests that plant-based foods rich in these important dietary compounds could lower your chances of developing frailty as you age.

Apples and blackberries are among the fruits that contain a particular flavonoid called quercetin that may be the most important to prevent fra...

Bone Up on Osteoporosis & Your Bone Health

It's important to understand your bone health to avoid damage as you age.

Losses of bone mineral density and bone mass can cause weakening, potentially leading to a fracture, especially in the hip, spine and wrist.

Osteoporosis is considered a silent disease because it often has no symptoms until someone breaks a bone in an unusual way, according to the Hospital for Special Surgery ...

Seat Post Defect Spurs Recall of 2 Million Peloton Exercise Bikes

People who use a Peloton exercise bike at home should check their model number immediately.

A recall of 2 million bikes with the model number PL01 was issued Thursday. People should stop using them immediately because of fall and injury hazards, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said.

The new recall follows reports of seat posts that break and detach from the bike during u...

Dog-Walking Downside: Fractures, Head Injuries

Walking your dog gets you moving and out in the fresh air, but head injuries and fractures are very real possibilities, especially for older dog owners, researchers say.

The most common injury from walking a leashed dog that sends folks to the ER is fractured fingers, a new study from Johns Hopkins University found.

But traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are the second-most common inj...

Weaker Bones, Weakening Brain? Study Makes the Connection

For some older adults, thinning bones may be a harbinger of waning memory, a new study suggests.

The study, of more than 3,600 older adults, found that those with relatively low bone density were at greater risk of being diagnosed with dementia within the next decade. The one-third of participants with the lowest bone mass at the hip faced double the risk of dementia as the third with the...

Reducing Home Hazards Cuts Seniors' Risk of Falling

Nearly one-third of older people fall each year, most of them in their own homes. But it's possible to reduce those numbers by a quarter, according to a new study.

Five steps can cut the risk of falls by 26%, the researchers reported in the March 10 issue of the Cochrane Database of ...

Falls Can Be More Dangerous for Older Men Than for Women

While older women are treated for falls more often than elderly males, men are more likely to sustain skull fractures when they topple over, new research suggests.

This is a serious concern because more than 3 million people aged 65 and older are treated in U.S. emergency departments each year for falls.

“The high incidence of head injury and subsequent skull fractures due to fal...

Aspirin OK After Fracture to Help Avoid Blood Clots

When people undergo surgery for broken arms or legs, they are often injected with prescription blood thinners to reduce their risk of developing potentially life-threatening blood clots in their lungs and legs.

But a large,

  • Denise Mann HealthDay Reporter
  • |
  • January 19, 2023
  • |
  • Full Page
  • Slips, Slides: Winter Injuries Can Be Serious

    Wearing proper gear, watching out for snow and ice hazards, and “walking like a penguin” are just some of the tips that can help prevent winter accidents, one medical expert says.

    “A variety of injuries can occur during the winter,” cautioned Dr. Mahmood Gharib, a physiatrist at the University of Minnesota Medica...

    Cancer Survivors May Face Higher Risks for Bone Fractures

    Adult cancer survivors, particularly those who have undergone chemotherapy, have an increased risk for serious pelvic and vertebral fractures, new research shows.

    "These findings are important as the number of cancer survivors living in the United States is projected to rise to 26.1 million by 2040. Research like this seeks ways for cancer survivors to have a better quality of life after ...

    Sports Like Soccer, Basketball Are Better Than Running for Young People's Bones

    Playing sports can benefit children in many ways, but all sports are not equal when it comes to their bones.

    New research suggests children will have healthier bones if they participate in multidirectional sports such as soccer or basketball, rather than unidir...

    When Is a Fracture Potentially Deadly for an Older Adult?

    Researchers studying fractures in older adults found a higher death rate when those fractures were closer to the center of the body and also when patients had particular underlying health issues.

    This information coul...

    Fractured Skulls, Broken Bones: Bike Injuries Still Common for Kids

    Over 1 million U.S. children and teens — many of them male — have broken bones and fractured their skulls in bicycle injuries over the past 20 years, according to new research that brought together two decades of data.

    Boys aged 10 to 15 were particularly at risk. Nearly 87% of kids with

    High-Tech Socks Could Prevent Falls in At-Risk Patients

    Every year, anywhere from 700,000 to 1 million people fall while in U.S. hospitals, and this often triggers a downward health spiral.

    Little has been shown to make a dent in those numbers. Until now.

    Enter Smart Socks, which are wired with sensors that send an alert...

    Vegetarian Women at Higher Odds for Hip Fracture

    Record numbers of people are turning to plant-based diets to take advantage of the many health benefits they offer, but this may come at the expense of their bones, a new study suggests.

    Exactly what did researchers find? Middle-aged women who never eat meat may be more likely to break a hip th...

    Vitamin D Supplements Won't Help Your Bones, Large Study Finds

    Seniors who take vitamin D supplements to improve their bone health and ward off fractures are just wasting their time and money, a major new study has found.

    These supplements did nothing to reduce their average risk of

    What Anesthesia Works Best for Hip Fracture Surgery?

    Patients who have spinal anesthesia while doctors repair a broken hip have more pain and need more prescription painkillers afterward than those given general anesthesia, a new study finds.

    Spinal anesthesia i...

    Another Smoking Hazard for Men: Brittle Bones

    You can add more risk of broken bones to the long list of health harms that smoking poses to men.

    Along with cancer and respiratory diseases, men who smoke have a significantly increased risk of osteoporosis,

  • By Robert Preidt HealthDay Reporter
  • |
  • June 10, 2022
  • |
  • Full Page
  • Obesity Raises a Woman's Odds for Broken Bones

    Being overweight or obese is never good for one's health, but now a new study suggests it increases a woman's risk of broken bones.

    For the study, researchers followed 20,000 women and men, aged 40 to 70, in the Canadian province of Quebec from 2009 until 2016. During a median follow-up of 5.8 years, 497 women and 323 me...

    Are Pins or a Cast Better for a Broken Wrist?

    A cast is as good as metal pins for treating a broken wrist, researchers report.

    A broken wrist in which bone fragments move out of their normal alignment is called a displaced wrist fracture. After the bones are put back in place, they're typically held in position by a molded plaster cast or by pins/pla...

    Many Kids Aren't Wearing Helmets While Sledding, Poll Finds

    When American kids do downhill skiing or snowboarding, they almost always wear a helmet, their parents say, but they're far less likely to do so when cruising down a neighborhood hill on a sled.

    That puts them at risk for serious head injuries, experts warn.

    "Because sledding is so common, parents may overlook ...

    How Safe Is a 'Holiday' From Bone-Strengthening Meds?

    People on bone-protecting drugs often take breaks from them for a few years. Now a new study finds that a "holiday" from the medication risedronate (Actonel) may come with a slightly increased risk of hip fracture.

    Researchers found that compared with a drug holiday from alendronate (Fosamax), taking a few years off from risedronate came with an 18% higher risk of hip fracture.

    The ...

    Vaping Could Weaken Your Bones, Study Finds

    The evidence against vaping is mounting, and a new study now links e-cigarettes with an increased risk for broken bones.

    Over time, vaping appears to increase the risk for fracture of the hip, spine and wrist by 46%, according to the findings. Researchers said these fractures happen from falls while standing and even from lower heights such as sitting.

    "My research has painted anot...

    Protecting Your Skin From Sun Won't Weaken Your Bones: Study

    Most people know that sun-sourced vitamin D is good for their bones. So could avoiding the sun to reduce skin cancer risk weaken your bones?

    A new study brings a reassuring answer: "Sun-protective" behavior -- wearing long sleeves, seeking shade or using sunscreen -- "was not associated with decreased bone mineral density or increased risk of osteoporotic fracture," the researchers conclu...

    Want Fewer Fractures in Nursing Homes? Put More Dairy on the Menu

    Serving more dairy products to nursing home residents could be a simple way to reduce their risk of falls and fractures, a new study suggests.

    Many consume low levels of calcium and protein, which can result in weak bones that increase the likelihood of falls and fractures. Dairy products such as milk, yogurt and cheese are high in calcium and protein.

  • Robert Preidt
  • |
  • October 22, 2021
  • |
  • Full Page
  • Big Rise in Injuries From E-Scooters, Hoverboards

    Hoverboards, electric scooters and electric bikes are the transportation of choice for a growing number of Americans, but they're taking many straight to the emergency room.

    Injuries associated with these so-called "micromobility products" skyrocketed 70% between 2017 and 2020, according to a soon-to-be-released report from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

    That in...

    One Activity Causes 4 Out of 5 Sports-Linked Spinal Injuries

    Football and other contact sports get a lot of attention for their injury hazards. But for most adults, bike riding is the biggest back-breaker, a new study suggests.

    Of more than 12,000 sports-related spinal injuries among U.S. adults, researchers found that a full 81% were due to bicycling mishaps. The injuries mostly included vertebral fractures, often in the neck but also in the middl...

    Busted Ankle? What's Better, a Cast or Brace?

    Modern, flexible boots may be just as good as old-school plaster casts when it comes to treating broken ankles, new research suggests.

    Often related to sports, traffic accidents or falls, broken ankles can be simple breaks in one bone or more complicated fractures that involve several bones, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Ankle fractures don't always require su...

    DIY Projects Can Be Prime Time for Foot Injuries

    When you tackle home and yard projects this summer, be sure to protect your feet and ankles.

    "Feet may be the last thing people think about while working on home-improvement projects, but we see so many different types of foot and ankle injuries in our office -- many of which can be avoided with proper shoe wear and extra caution," said Dr. Amber Shane, a foot and ankle surgeon in the Orl...

    Osteoporosis Might Also Raise a Woman's Odds for Hearing Loss

    It's a connection most women may not be aware of, but a new study suggests osteoporosis may raise your risk of hearing loss, and the drugs often used to treat thinning bones won't lower that risk.

    According to researcher Dr. Sharon Curhan, data from her team's new study suggests that "osteoporosis and low bone density may be important contributors to aging-related hearing loss."

    Tha...

    Biggest Reason Teens Injure Their Spines: Not Wearing Seat Belts

    Two-thirds of spinal fractures suffered by American children and teens occur in car crashes when they aren't wearing seat belts, a new study finds.

    Researchers analyzed data on more than 34,500 U.S. patients younger than 18 who suffered spinal fractures between 2009 and 2014. Teens aged 15 to 17 accounted for about 63% of the spinal fractures, two-thirds of which occurred in motor vehicle...

    Spring Activity Can Sometimes Bring Stress Fractures

    If you're getting back into walking, running or outdoor sports this spring after months on the couch, you could be at risk for a common injury known as a stress fracture.

    It's a small break or crack caused by repeated impact on a bone that is starting to weaken from overdoing it, and feet are particularly vulnerable, according to Dr. Mark Drakos. He is an orthopedic surgeon specializing i...

    Cold Facts on Avoiding Snow and Ice Dangers

    Severe winter weather has a grip on much of the United States, which increases the risk of injuries from slipping on ice, shoveling, sports such as skiing and sledding, and car crashes.

    "One of the most frequently seen causes for visits to the emergency room this time of year is from slipping on icy sidewalks," said Dr. David Hasleton, senior medical director of emergency medicine and tra...

    Premature Menopause May Bring Tougher Symptoms for Women

    Menopause is known to bring a variety of unpleasant symptoms ranging from hot flashes to insomnia. Yet, for those who have a condition known as premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), it is much worse, researchers report.

    The new study examined the impact of POI, in which ovarian function stops and leads to menopause before the age of 40.

    The researchers investigated menopause sympto...

    Obesity Ups Women's Odds for Early Hip Fracture

    Obese women are more likely to suffer a hip fracture before age 70 than those who aren't obese, a new study finds.

    Researchers analyzed data gathered from more than 12,700 women in Finland who were born between 1932 and 1941 and followed them for 25 years.

    The University of Eastern Finland investigators examined the link between the women's body mass index (BMI -- an estimate of bod...

    One Type of Injury Should Raise Red Flag for Domestic Violence

    As many as one-third of adult women who have a particular fracture to their forearms may be victims of intimate partner violence, according to a new study.

    The findings underscore the need to screen women who receive fractures to their ulna for possible intimate partner violence, researchers said. That includes those who say they were injured in a fall.

    The ulna is the bone on the p...

    Vegan Diets Tied to Higher Bone Fracture Risk

    Chew on this: Vegans face a 43% higher risk for bone fractures than meat eaters, a large British study warns.

    The rise in risk was not confined to vegans, who eat no meat, fish, dairy or eggs. The researchers also identified a notably higher risk for hip fractures among those who eat fish but no meat (pescatarians), and among vegetarians who swear off both meat and fish, but do consume da...

    Fish Oil, Vitamin D and Exercise: How Helpful Are They If You're Over 70?

    Vitamin D, fish oil supplements and weight training have long been touted for their health benefits, but for healthy seniors, none of them -- either in combination or alone -- boosts physical or mental performance or prevents broken bones, Swiss researchers report.

    For three years, they tracked more than 2,100 men and women (average age: 74) who were randomly assigned to a program involvi...

    Could Common Asthma Meds Weaken Bones?

    People who use common asthma controller medications are vulnerable to developing brittle bones and suffering fractures, a new study shows.

    The findings point the finger at anti-inflammatory corticosteroids -- whether taken by pill or inhaler.

    Corticosteroids are widely used to prevent asthma attacks, particularly in the form of inhalers. When asthma is more difficult to cont...

    Pandemic Silver Lining: Steep Drop in Kids' Fractures

    In a rare bit of good news tied to the coronavirus pandemic, researchers say pediatric fractures plummeted by nearly 60% this past spring.

    Investigators say the finding likely reflects the sudden evaporation of organized sports and curtailed playground use due to the threat of COVID-19.

    "We compared fracture incidence in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic -- March...

    ER Visits for E-Scooter Injuries Nearly Double in One Year

    As the popularity of electric scooters has accelerated in the United States, so have serious injuries, which nearly doubled in just one year, a new study reveals.

    In 2019, more than 29,600 e-scooter riders were treated in U.S. emergency rooms, up from about 15,500 the year before, the researchers found.

    "I probably operate on at least two to three people that have scooter i...

    Dance Injuries Jump in United States

    Dance-related injuries treated at U.S. emergency departments increased by nearly one-quarter in recent years, a new study reveals.

    Between 2014 and 2018, there was a 22.5% rise in such injuries, with more than 4,150 cases seen in ERs nationwide during that time.

    Strains and sprains accounted for almost half of the injuries, according to the National Athletic Trainers' As...

    Less Smoking, Drinking Means Fewer Hip Fractures for Americans

    In a rare bit of good health news for Americans, a new government study finds that hip fracture rates have fallen substantially since the 1970s.

    Between 1970 and 2010, broken hips dropped by two-thirds among Americans in a decades-long health study. The likely reason? Researchers say drops in both smoking and heavy drinking played a significant role.

    The improvement was true...

    Repeat Bone Density Tests Might Not Be Needed, Study Finds

    Bone density tests are often touted as a way to predict the risk of fracture in postmenopausal women, but a new study casts doubt on the value of repeating this commonly used test.

    The research was led by Dr. Carolyn Crandall, of the division of general internal medicine and health services research at UCLA's David Geffen School of Medicine. Her team collected data on more than 7,000 ...

    Kids Breaking Fewer Bones During Pandemic, But More Fractures Happening at Home

    There's been a nearly 60% drop in broken bones among U.S. children during the coronavirus pandemic, but the rate of fractures that occur at home has climbed, a new study finds.

    The researchers analyzed data on 1,735 youngsters treated for acute fractures at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) between March 15 and April 15, and compared that data with the same time perio...

    Pneumonia More Deadly Than Hip Fractures for Hospitalized Seniors

    Seniors hospitalized with pneumonia are much more likely to die in the hospital and within two years of leaving the hospital than those with hip fractures, new research shows.

    But many older people don't recognize the serious threat posed by pneumonia, the researchers said. The study took place in 2009 to 2015, years before the coronavirus pandemic and its respiratory effects became a...

    Vitamin D Might Aid Seniors' Recovery From Hip Fracture: Study

    After a broken hip, seniors who have sufficient vitamin D have better odds of walking, a new study finds.

    The study suggests that low levels of vitamin D could limit walking, according to researcher Sue Shapses, a professor of nutritional sciences at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, N.J.

    Nearly 300 patients undergoing hip fracture repair were assessed after surgery in ...

    5 Expert Tips for Preventing Winter Sports Accidents

    Hitting the slopes or the skating rink as the winter of 2020 winds down? Don't let an accident or injury spoil your fun.

    "Winter sports and recreational activities have great health and cardiovascular benefits," said Dr. Joseph Bosco, vice president of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS). "However, it's important not to underestimate the risks that cold weather can br...

    Smoking While Pregnant May Weaken Baby's Bones

    Mothers who smoke during pregnancy put their infants at increased risk of fractures in their first year of life, researchers warn.

    The study looked at more than 1.6 million people who were born in Sweden between 1983 and 2000, and followed for an average of 21 years.

    Over that time, nearly 378,000 fractures were recorded. But the rate among those whose moms smoked during pre...