Taboo topic: Reducing stigma attached to Alzheimer’s is crucial for prevention

Reducing stigma attributed to Alzheimer’s disease is vital for prevention research, a new study suggests, adding that the stigma associated with the disease may be an obstacle for individuals to seek information about their risk of developing it. The survey focused on what beliefs, attitudes and expectations are most often associated with the disease. “We found that concerns about discrimination and overly harsh judgments about the severity of symptoms were most prevalent,” said co-author of the study, Shana Stites from the University of Pennsylvania. “By understanding what the biggest concerns…

Read More

For Osteoporosis, Early Treatment Is Crucial

My neighbor Arlyn Riskind, who is 53, has premenopausal osteoporosis, diagnosed nine years ago. She takes low-dose birth control pills to preserve her bone mass and postpone menopause. But after menopause, she knows she “may be soon faced with some decision-making.” And she is quite anxious about it. The source of her angst is whether to begin treating her osteoporosis with bisphosphonates, drugs that are very effective at increasing bone density but carry some small risks. These include an increased chance of developing osteonecrosis of the jaw, in which the…

Read More