Study links preteen physical activity with better mental health later
At age 11, daily physical activity was associated with a 12 percent lower risk of a psychiatric diagnosis at age 18 for every hour of activity recorded, according to research published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.
The study examined data from over 16,000 children born between 1997 and 1999 in Sweden whose families recorded their daily physical activity information at ages 5, 8 and 11.
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Health Line
an hour ago
- Health Line
Does Osteoporosis Affect Your Teeth?
Teeth are not bones, so they are not directly affected by osteoporosis. However, osteoporosis can lead to jaw damage, which in turn can cause serious dental problems. Osteoporosis is a bone disease resulting in the loss of bone mass and density. It can lead to weak bones, which increases the risk of fractures. Like many people with osteoporosis, you may wonder if it will affect your teeth. The short answer is: not directly. Since your teeth aren't actually bones, osteoporosis itself doesn't change your teeth's health or composition. Yet osteoporosis can have an indirect effect on your teeth. This is because it can cause changes to your jaw, which can affect how your teeth are held in place. In fact, osteoporosis has been associated with an increased likelihood of tooth loss for this reason. It's important to not only brush your teeth but also brush up on information about how osteoporosis may affect your oral health. We'll review what to know about how teeth and bones differ, current research on how osteoporosis affects teeth, and how treatment works. What are teeth made of? Although they do have some characteristics in common, your teeth and your bones are not made of the exact same materials. Your bones are mostly collagen and the mineral calcium phosphate. Teeth, on the other hand, consist of the following main layers: Enamel is the hard calcified tissue on the top (crown) of teeth that isn't made of living cells. Cementum is another type of hard tissue that protects a tooth's root. Dentin is below enamel and cementum, making up most of our teeth's interior and providing structure. Pulp is the innermost layer of our teeth and contains nerves and blood vessels. Osteoporosis damages your bones' ability to produce new tissue to make up their spongy interior. People may mistake teeth for bones because the whitish enamel covering the crown of your teeth looks like bone. But unlike our bones, enamel isn't made of living tissue. Research findings The link between osteoporosis and tooth loss is well-established and has been the subject of many scientific studies. These include: A study from 2017 also found that postmenopausal women in South India were more likely to experience tooth loss if they had developed osteoporosis. A 2024 systematic review concluded that osteoporosis is associated not only with loss of bone density in the jaw area but also with periodontal disease and tooth loss. A 2024 study showed that osteoporosis is associated with loss of bone in the alveolar process (the bone structure that holds the roots of your teeth in place), leading to tooth loss. Another 2024 study of postmenopausal women saw an association between vertebral fractures and tooth loss. Researchers are pretty clear that osteoporosis and tooth loss are connected, but they are still investigating the exact nature of that connection. A key theory for the link is that as osteoporosis progresses, your jawbone also weakens and loses some of its density. When the jawbone weakens, teeth begin to lose some of their stability. These jawbone changes may affect tooth alignment, damaging their roots and causing oral health complications. Osteoporosis medications and teeth If you take medication for osteoporosis, be sure to talk with your doctor about its possible effects on your teeth. Be aware that medications that strengthen bones can sometimes cause damage to your jawbone. The treatment most commonly prescribed for people with osteoporosis is bisphosphonate therapy. Bisphosphonates, which can be administered orally (by mouth) or intravenously (through a vein), can help strengthen your bones and ward off future fractures. Many people also take calcium or vitamin D with bisphosphonates, according to the American College of Rheumatology. But there's a risk to your jaw and teeth when you take bisphosphonates. This type of treatment has been linked to the development of a rare degenerative complication called osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ). According to the Endocrine Society, the risk of developing ONJ is highest after dental surgery. It tends to occur more frequently in people who have undergone 'high dose, long-term therapy, as might be given during cancer treatment.' Keeping bones and teeth healthy One of the most important things you can do is prioritize the health of your bones and teeth by maintaining habits that contribute to their overall well-being. Some key factors include: eating a b alanced diet making sure you get 800 to 1000 IU of vitamin D each day aiming for 1,000 to 1,200 milligrams of calcium each day not smoking, or considering quitting smoking if you currently smoke limiting your consumption of alcohol being physically active — the World Health Organization (WHO) has exercise guidelines by age group If you're having trouble getting enough calcium or vitamin D from the foods that you eat, talk with your doctor or a nutritionist about taking a supplement. Make sure you always take supplements as directed. Proper dental hygiene is essential for the long-term health of your teeth. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends the following: Brush your teeth thoroughly twice a day for 2 minutes per session. Use toothpaste containing fluoride when brushing your teeth. Clean between your teeth daily (including flossing, interdental brushes, and others). Limit your intake of sugary beverages and snacks. Aim to visit your dentist for regular checkups. Let your dentist know if you're taking an antiresorptive agent, like a bisphosphonate, so they can accommodate it in your treatment plan — especially if you'll be undergoing any surgical procedures like a tooth extraction. You likely won't need to stop taking your osteoporosis treatment or skip the procedure, according to the ADA, but your dentist may need to make some accommodations. Know your risk Prioritizing and monitoring oral health can be especially important if you have existing dental health concerns or if you have certain risk factors for osteoporosis. Your chances of developing osteoporosis increase as you get older. Women tend to be at elevated risk, and the loss of estrogen that occurs with menopause can also contribute. Treating osteoporosis Currently, there's no cure for osteoporosis, so prevention remains the best strategy. However, there are several osteoporosis management and treatment options, according to 2018 research. Certain drugs for osteoporosis aim to prevent bone loss (antiresorptive medications), while others seek to regrow bone (anabolic medications). Both classes of drugs aim to increase bone density and lower your chance of fractures. Depending on your specific needs and health, your doctor might advise taking the following: Bisphosphonate medications. These are usually the first medications prescribed for postmenopausal women, and they work by slowing the breakdown of bone. Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), also known as estrogen agonists, are a class of medications that also treat osteoporosis in women and other conditions like breast cancer. Most commonly, SERMS, raloxifene, is used to treat these conditions. Hormone replacement therapy. These drugs are synthetic versions of our naturally occurring hormones. Since loss of estrogen due to menopause can contribute to osteoporosis, estrogen therapy can help, although it's often not the first-line treatment. Testosterone therapy is sometimes used similarly for osteoporosis in men. Calcitonin. This is a synthetic version of a hormone your thyroid gland produces that regulates calcium. It comes in a nasal spray and is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating osteoporosis in certain postmenopausal women. Antibody medications. Also called biologics, these can slow the breakdown of bone and encourage new bone formation. The two available drugs are denosumab and romosozumab, both administered through injections. Parathyroid hormone therapies. Parathyroid hormones (PTHs) increase bone density and strength, helping prevent fractures. The PTH injectable medications teriparatide and abaloparatide are both FDA-approved to treat osteoporosis. Calcium and vitamin D supplements. These are essential for building and maintaining strong bones (and teeth). Physical therapy (PT) is also often used to treat osteoporosis and aims to strengthen muscle and bone to prevent future fractures (or recover from fractures). A PT exercise regimen will be tailored specifically to your health needs. It can be done in a few minutes per day at home or at regular sessions with your physical therapist. Takeaway Teeth are not bones, so they aren't directly affected by osteoporosis. However, osteoporosis can affect your teeth indirectly by causing changes or damage to your jawbone. Maintaining healthy habits promotes bone and oral health in the long term. This includes not smoking, eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and practicing proper dental hygiene.
Washington Post
2 hours ago
- Washington Post
This is what a war on knowledge looks like
On the wall of Ulrich Mueller's neurobiology lab at Johns Hopkins University is a map with pins that show all the different countries where his research fellows were born. It's a visual representation of what makes American science so powerful — and why that primacy is threatened. 'The brightest minds from around the world are drawn to conduct research here,' Mueller proudly told an interviewer for a campus journal last month. The freedom and diversity of American higher education have operated like a magnet, attracting the world's most brilliant minds and spinning off trillions of dollars in wealth.
Fox News
2 hours ago
- Fox News
Woman declared dead by coroner, moved to coffin, turns out to be alive
A woman declared dead by the coroner after her husband found her unresponsive in bed was being placed in a coffin when morticians made a startling discovery — she was very much alive. The horrifying tale from the Czech Republic unfolded when an 88-year-old woman, who was thought to be dead, showed signs of life in her coffin. According to the husband of the woman thought to be deceased called the Pilsen emergency services to potentially help his wife. The husband told the emergency dispatch that "she didn't move, she didn't breathe," according to the report. When paramedics arrived, they confirmed the woman's death and the coroners were dispatched to the apartment. The coroner also confirmed the woman's death and undertakers were called to move the body into the coffin. The husband also told Blesk that "the workers transferred her to the coffin, and when they were right here in the apartment in the hallway by the door, they found out she was alive." An ambulance arrived shortly after, and the woman was transported to the hospital. While this may seem like something out of a horror story, this rare medical occurrence has happened before. According to the Cleveland Clinic, it's known as the Lazarus Effect. Named after the biblical story of Jesus raising Lazarus back from the dead, this usually occurs after CPR ends. Typically, this happens after a cardiac arrest occurs and CPR is administered to the patient. This medical phenomenon occurs after the patient is clinically pronounced dead. Some time later, the patient will begin to show signs of life and must continue to show these signs for more than a few seconds. According to the National Institutes of Health, there have been 74 confirmed cases in the U.S. from 1982-2022. It is still unknown how or why the Lazarus Effect happens.
