Osteoporosis talk and screening July 16

According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF), about 54 million Americans have osteoporosis and low bone mass, placing them at increased risk for osteoporosis. Studies suggest that approximately one in two women and up to one in four men age 50 and older will break a bone due to osteoporosis.  To help understand the causes and treatments of osteoporosis, Silver Cross Hospital is offering a free program in July.

Girl Talk: Stop Osteoporosis

Find out if you maybe at risk for osteoporosis. Join Dr. Latha Arla, internal medicine physician, on Wednesday, July 16 for a discussion on the risks, signs, testing and treatments for this crippling disease. Complimentary osteoporosis heel screenings will be offered to participants beginning at 5:30 p.m. This free program will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Silver Cross Hospital Conference Center, Pavilion A, 1890 Silver Cross Blvd., New Lenox.  Call 1-888-660-HEAL (4325) or visit www.silvercross.org to register.

“Even though there is no cure for osteoporosis, there are steps you can take to prevent or slow the progression of the disease,” said Dr. Latha Arla, internal medicine physician who is on-staff at Silver Cross Hospital. “In fact, you may even be able to improve bone density. During this program, all of these treatment options will be discussed.”

What causes Osteoporosis?

According to the NOF, osteoporosis is a disease of the bones. It happens when you lose too much bone, make too little bone or both. As a result, your bones become weak and may crack from a minor fall or, in serious cases, even from simple actions, like bumping into furniture.

Osteoporosis means “porous bone.” If you look at healthy bone under a microscope, you will see that parts of it look like a honeycomb. If you have osteoporosis, the holes and spaces in the honeycomb are much bigger than they are in healthy bone. This means your bones have lost density or mass and that the structure of your bone tissue has become abnormal. As your bones become less dense, they also become weaker and more likely to break. If you’re age 50 or older and have broken a bone, talk to your doctor and ask if you should have a bone density test.

About Dr. Latha Arla

Latha Arla, D.O., is board certified in internal medicine.  Dr. Arla attended medical school at College of Osteopathic Medicine and Health Sciences in Des Moines, IA.  She completed an internal medicine residency at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in Newark, NJ.  Dr. Arla’s office is located with Sanitas Medical Group at 1890 Silver Cross Blvd. Pavilion A, Suite 265 in New Lenox. To schedule an appointment, call (815) 727-4292.

About Silver Cross Hospital

Silver Cross Hospital is a not-for-profit health care provider serving Will County and southwest suburban communities since 1895. Silver Cross has been recognized as a Thomson Reuters 100 Top Hospitals National Award winner for seven consecutive years and as a Hospital of Choice by the American Alliance of Healthcare Providers. With over 3,000 employees, physicians and volunteers, Silver Cross operates a 289-bed acute care hospital and 5 satellite facilities providing outpatient services and physician offices. Silver Cross opened a state-of-the-art replacement hospital on February 26, 2012 at I-355 and Route 6 in New Lenox. In 2013, Silver Cross provided over $48 million in charity care and other community benefits. To learn more about Silver Cross Hospital or a referral to a physician on staff, visit http://www.silvercross.org/  or call 1-888-660-HEAL (4325). Physicians on Silver Cross Hospital’s Medical Staff have expertise in their areas of practice to meet the needs of patients seeking their care.  These physicians are independent practitioners on the Medical Staff and are not the agents or employees of Silver Cross Hospital. They treat patients based upon their independent medical judgment and they bill patients separately for their services.