Yet another reason not to drink alcohol…

Alcohol can damage bones, new study shows – Bone loss potential climbs with heavy drinking…

Reuters – Updated: 11:29 a.m. ET Dec. 27, 2005

NEW YORK – Bone loss is an often-overlooked consequence of heavy drinking, but recent research has illuminated how alcohol takes a toll on the bones, according to a new report.

In a review of cell, animal and human studies, Dr. Dennis A. Chakkalakal of the Omaha VA Medical Centre in Nebraska describes how heavy drinking leads to bone loss, higher risk of fractures and slower healing of bone breaks. The main problem appears to be that alcohol inhibits the normal formation of new bone, Chakkalakal reports in the journal Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research.

Though excessive drinking has been shown to promote bone thinning and fractures, some studies have suggested that moderate drinking may actually help protect bone mass — possibly because small amounts of alcohol promote new bone formation.

The opposite appears true of high amounts of alcohol, according to Chakkalakal’s review.

Throughout adulthood, bone undergoes a process of “remodeling,” whereby cells called osteoclasts break down small portions of old bone, and cells called osteoblasts form new bone. In healthy, younger adults, this process is usually balanced, so that bone mass is maintained.

Too much alcohol, however, appears to inhibit osteoblasts from doing their job, and heavy drinkers may start to lose bone mass in just a few years, according to Chakkalakal. The potential for bone loss climbs in tandem with drinking, evidence shows, but it’s not clear where the risk threshold lies.

Most studies on alcohol and bone loss have defined “heavy” drinking as roughly six or more drinks per day. But, the review points out, there’s some evidence that bone loss is a risk for people who have closer to three or more drinks a day.

Though many people know about the damage heavy drinking can inflict on the liver, far fewer know about the effects on bone, according to Dr. Terrence M. Donohue Jr., also of the Omaha VA Medical Centre.

In a statement, he recommended that anyone with a bone fracture avoid alcohol during the healing process.

“The review,” he said, “underscores the importance of abstinence from alcohol consumption by patients — alcoholics or teetotalers — with fractures and who may want to drink during their convalescence.”

2005 MSNBC.com

(Note:) If you’ve been watching the news here in San Diego (and across the nation) you’ve seen numerous crashes involving DUI drivers…all causing death and injury – do something about it!

First, very easy, “don’t drink and drive”, and if your plans include alcohol arrange for a “SOBER” designated driver…next, get involved in stopping this “preventable” crime.

Visit the following MADD web sites for more ways to get involved and make a difference! If you’re someone recently impacted by someone driving under the influence, the next section can help:

Safety Information: Dealing With Stress

Your Safety Tip: Rising Gas Prices? Aggressive Driving Increases Stress Levels & Burns More Fuel. Slow Down – Save Fuel And Save Lives! It’s A Win-Win Situation

Tips for Reducing Stress in Your Life

From Safety Educator Monica Zech & The National Institute of Mental Health

Stress – we’ve all felt it at one time or another. Especially behind the wheel….

To reduce the stress, that’s very bad for you healthwise, here are some great tips from the National Mental Health Association:

Many people feel stress often; some even feel it as a part of their daily lives. Stress has been implicated as a possible cause of – or at least exacerbating some of the symptoms of—numerous conditions, including heart disease, stroke, immune disorders, gastrointestinal problems, eating problems, diabetes, sleep disturbances, and sexual reproduction dysfunction.

*Learning to reduce your stress levels can help you live happier, healthier, and maybe even longer….

The National Mental Health Association offers the following tips for reducing or controlling stress:

From Traffic Safety Speaker Monica Zech -

“Sorry – I don’t sugar coat the message when it comes to the dangers of drinking and driving – especially if you’re a parent. I take a hard nose attitude because of crash reports like this one. It’s very sad when people forget the priority of family…if you have a family, you shouldn’t drink period! Too strict? Not after you read the following crash report from the Sheriff’s Dept.”…..

Also keep in mind “how you drive in general”…how you drive will be how your children will drive when they fet their license. So if you’re driving above speed limits, rolling through stop signs and running yellow and RED lights, and, drinking and driving – so will your child.

Here’s the collision report….

Subject: Traffic Fatality
Person Posting Information: Lt. Tim Curran
Email: timothy.curran@sdsheriff.org
Post Time: 7/2/2005 03:29:43

Information

INFORMATION TYPE: News Media Release

SUBJECT: Fatal traffic collision

DATE & TIME OCCURRED: 07-01-05 @ 2312 hours – (11:12pm)

LOCATION OF INCIDENT: 1400 Leucadia Blvd, Encinitas

VICTIM: White Female Adult. Name withheld pending the notification of the next of kin. (Now identified as 46 year-old Tracy Ann Loftis, husband Tom of Carlsbad)

This information is fragmentary and has not been completely verified. It is based, in part on hearsay and is intended for early informational use rather than being a formal investigative report.

On 07-01-05, at about 2312 hours, a Reserve Sheriff’s Deputy was westbound on Leucadia Blvd, when a white Porsche drove by eastbound at a high rate of speed. The deputy heard the vehicle losing control and impacting a light pole and a fire hydrant. The deputy immediately called for emergency medical personnel and returned to the scene of the collision. The deputy found the driver, who was the sole occupant of the vehicle, ejected out onto the ground. He initiated CPR, but the lifesaving efforts of the deputy and the emergency medical personnel were futile. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene.

Note: Preliminary information from the girlfriend that she had been with that evening was that they had gone to four different bars. The driver had become quite intoxicated and the girlfriend tried to take the keys from her. The driver insisted on driving and drove away from the last bar that they had been at. The girlfriend then called the driver’s husband who went searching for her. The driver’s husband drove by the collision scene and recognized his wife’s car. After meeting with the deputy medical examiner, the husband returned home to break the news to her five children.

Preliminary indications are that alcohol, excessive speed and an unsafe turning movement played a part in the collision. When appropriate, the Medical Examiner will release the victim’s name and information.

The investigation is continuing and no further information is available at this time.

PREPARED BY: Sergeant Randy Webb, San Diego Sheriff’s Encinitas Station.

Help Stop “RED Light Running”! But be informed…click on the following web site:

Stop Red Light Running

FACT: In 2002, approximately 921 people were killed and 178,000 were injured in as many as 207,000 red light running crashes. Survivors of red light running crashes include people who are injured as well as the family and friends of people who are injured or killed in red light running crashes.

Safety Tip:

Who’s next? Careful at intersections - when you get a green light, don’t move – make sure those who got the RED light have stopped, then check again for those who floored it from one to two blocks away during the YELLOW light…by the time they reach the intersection it’s RED and you may be in their path! Once you’ve seen traffic has finally stopped, then proceed with caution.

Read More

For tips on talking to your children about personal safety in regards to not only “strangers”, but by people they know! Click here:

Pact For Kids Safety Tips

To find out if sexual predators live near you click on the following:

MEGAN’S LAW

Light for Life Foundation – Please call the San Diego 24 hour Crisis Hotline at 1(800)479-3339, or the National Hotline at 1(888)SUICIDE, (784-2433) *If you are in need and don’t know how to ask for help please call these hotlines. Life is precious - I care and they care.

Read More