Bone Talk

Episode 22: Bone Health and Menopause: What's the Connection?

October is National Menopause Awareness Month, an opportunity to educate women about changes that can occur in the body during this phase of life. The average age of menopause is 51 and can bring on hormonal fluctuations and hot flashes, among other things. During this time, declining estrogen levels can also cause bone loss, in turn increasing your risk of osteoporosis.

In this episode of Bone Talk, we are pleased to be speaking with Dr. Sharon Allison-Ottey. Dr. Allison-Ottey is an energetic and engaging speaker, author, health educator/physician and health strategist/consultant. She is the CEO of CARLDEN Inc. and Beautiful Woman Inside and Out, Inc. and is also the Executive Director of The COSHAR Foundation. Dr. Allison-Ottey serves as the Health Strategist for several national companies and organizations and develops and oversees programmatic agendas with long- and short-term strategies ensuring effectiveness and achievement of goals. She completed her medical degree from East Carolina University School of Medicine and a three-year residency program in Internal Medicine at Union Memorial Hospital. It was during her residency training that she developed a keen interest in the elderly and subsequently completed an additional two-year fellowship in Geriatric Medicine at the same institution. 

No Pause in Menopause Roundtable: Please join HealthyWomen each Wednesday in October at 1p.m. EDT/10 a.m. PDT for a series of webinars discussing menopause. Click here for details!

Aging Smart, Aging Well: How Women Make Decisions About Their Health in the 21st Century HealthyWomen and WebMD present findings from a nationwide initiative targeting the health and well-being information needs of women ages 40 and older. Click here to read more.

This sponsored podcast is brought to you by Medtronic.

Episode 21: Vertebral Compression Fractures: Pain Management and Treatment Options

Join Claire Gill, CEO of the National Osteoporosis Foundation, as she hosts Dr. Eric Wise and Karen Lake in this episode of Bone Talk. Dr. Wise is an expert in minimally invasive spine care and interventional pain management, as well as a board-certified Diplomat of the American Board of Anesthesiology. Dr. Wise currently practices at Northeast Pain Management in Bangor, Maine. Karen is a patient of Northeast Pain Management and resident of Maine. 

Vertebral compression fractures are all too common among sufferers of osteoporosis. In fact, it is the presence of these fractures that often leads to diagnosis. Claire and Karen discuss how Karen was injured, what led her to Northeast Pain Management, and the treatment she eventually received, balloon kyphoplasty. 

It is fairly typical for patients to initially receive medication and rest orders before finding their way to Dr. Wise and Northeast Pain Management. Dr. Wise explains how patients are categorized and treated before Karen talks us through the balloon kyphoplasty procedure and her speedy recovery.

Like all invasive procedures, balloon kyphoplasty does have some controversy around it. Dr. Wise explains the possibilities of increased adjacent vertebral fractures and the studies that have supported and disproved this.

It is important to be an advocate for yourself and your health. If you believe what you are experiencing is unusual or not being treated accordingly, research and enquire about alternate treatments. We hear from Dr. Wise about when to be concerned about pain and when to seek treatment. Finally, Claire asks about telemedicine options for Dr. Wise’s practice during the pandemic.

Learn more about Dr. Wise and Northeast Pain Management: https://northeastpainmanagement.com

Find free resources from the National Osteoporosis Foundation: https://www.nof.org

Dr. Eric Wise is an expert in the field of interventional pain management, and is the medical director of Northeast Pain Management in Bangor, Maine. He specializes in minimally invasive spine care and interventional pain management and is a board certified Diplomat of the American Board of Anesthesiology in both the practice of Anesthesiology and the Subspecialty of Pain Medicine. He is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and completed his residency training in anesthesiology at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. He went on to complete a specialized Interventional Pain Medicine Fellowship at the West Penn Allegheny Health Network in Pittsburgh.

Dr. Wise’s clinical interests include ultrasound and fluoroscopy guided injection therapies for a wide array of painful muscle, joint, and spine conditions. He is one of the leading practitioners of balloon kyphoplasty in the state of Maine and New England.  He also has a unique interest in spinal cord stimulation therapy that can be used to treat a variety of painful conditions including failed back surgery syndrome and complex regional pain syndrome. Dr. Wise focuses on developing individualized treatment programs for each of his patients.

Dr. Wise is an active member of the American Society for Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, the North American Neuromodulation Society, and several other medical organizations. Dr. Wise has settled in Bangor, where he lives with his Victoria, who is a nurse at the local hospital. He enjoys exploring the outdoors with his Golden Retrievers, Levi and Porter, and is an avid fisherman and backpacker.

Episode 20: Caregiving Challenges During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Available Resources and Support

Join Claire Gill, CEO of the National Osteoporosis Foundation, as she hosts Grace Whiting, President and CEO of the National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC) in this episode of Bone Talk. In addition to her role at the NAC, Grace is on the governing board of the International Alliance for Career Organizations (IACO) and has provided testimony to Congress on caregiving programs. 

Did you know that in the U.S., there are about 53 million people caring for a friend or family member with a disability or health care need? Grace and Claire discuss the immediate impact and changes for caregivers due to COVID-19. Now, more than ever, it’s important to have a care plan when variables are present through the four types of care: companionship/emotional support, care coordination activities, traditional caregiving, and medical caregiving. 

Information about healthcare and medical information are readily available due to the ease of access to technology. However, many medical and health professionals have switched to virtual care or consultations. We hear about how that has affected certain aspects of caregiving before Grace talks about how various resources and platforms can help you during the pandemic.

Visit, support and connect with the National Osteoporosis Foundation at www.nof.org and the National Alliance for Caregiving at www.caregiving.org.

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

• Caregiving-Specific Information and COVID-19 Resources for Families

• Eldercare Locator

• National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC)

• National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC) Resource Page

• National Family Caregiver Support Program

C. Grace Whiting, J.D.

At thirty-two, Grace was named the President/CEO of the National Alliance for Caregiving, after previous stints as the COO and the Director of Strategic Partnerships. In her work at NAC, Grace led the nation’s first national policy study of 1,400+ rare disease caregivers with Global Genes. She has supported two nationally representative studies on caregiving, Caregiving in the U.S. 2020 released this past May with AARP, and the previous version in 2015. She has led new policy research on families managing cancer, autoimmune disorders such as IBD, dementia, mental illness, and chronic disease. She has provided testimony to Congress on caregiving programs and provided policy analysts to national media outlets such as C-SPAN’s Washington Journal, the New York Times, and the Wall Street Journal. In addition to her role at NAC, Grace represents NAC and the United States on the Governing Board of the International Alliance for Carer Organizations and offers ex officio support for NAC’s role as Secretariat.

Episode 19: Things You Should Know About Bone Strength and Spinal Health

Did you know that broken bones of the spine are the most common type of fractures in people with osteoporosis? In this episode, National Osteoporosis Foundation CEO Claire Gill interviews Dr. Tom Schuler, president of the National Spine Health Foundation and CEO and founder of the Virginia Spine Institute. They discuss the relationship between overall bone health and spinal health while offering useful tips on some of the most important things people can do at every stage of life to protect their spine.

Dr. Tom Schuler is president of the National Spine Health Foundation and chairman of its Medical and Scientific Board. His is also the founder of the Virginia Spine Institute. He has previously been the spine consultant to the Washington Redskins and frequently treats professional and amateur athletes. Dr. Schuler is a pioneer in the advancement of disc arthroplasty, minimally invasive spine surgery, and regenerative therapies. He has revolutionized spinal health care across the Washington, DC metropolitan area and the nation. Dr. Schuler is the Physician Assistant Fellowship Program Director at the Virginia Spine Institute. Dr. Schuler is a distinguished fellow in both the American College of Spine Surgery and the American College of Surgeons. He is a member of the North American Spine Society, and the U.S. Capital Chapter of the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO).

Preventing Fractures and Falls: https://www.nof.org/preventing-fractures/

Episode 18: Active Aging and the Critical Importance of Bone Health

The National Osteoporosis Foundation is excited to once again be named as an official charity partner of the 2020 TCS New York City Marathon – which will celebrate its 50th anniversary on November 1. To commemorate this milestone year, NOF has recruited dedicated women over the age of 50 to join its ‘Be Bone Strong’ team. The team is committed to showcasing the critical importance of bone health in active aging.

We are thankful that TheOptimal.me is supporting our endeavor as a sponsor of the ‘Be Bone Strong’ team. TheOptimal.me is an extensive online collection of Integrated Movement Routines (IMRs) that work all your muscles together, balancing your body to help you stay active and break free from the aches and pains of aging.

In this sponsored podcast, we highlight the online program offered by TheOptimal.me and explain how the exercises support active aging. Staying healthy over age 50 includes many factors such as a proper nutrition, exercise, safe movement and encouraging a healthy mind/body connection. 

The National Osteoporosis Foundation’s Be Bone Strong Team: https://www.nof.org/tcs-new-york-city-marathon-2020/

Episode 17: Top Research in the Field of Osteoporosis

Dr. Felicia Cosman

In this podcast, National Osteoporosis Foundation Interim CEO Claire Gill interviews Dr. Felicia Cosman, Coeditor in Chief of the Osteoporosis International journal and Professor of Clinical Medicine at Columbia University Medical Center in New York. 

We know that approximately 10 million Americans over the age of 50 have osteoporosis or low bone mass. A recent study NOF commissioned from the actuarial firm Milliman found that 2 million Medicare Patients suffered 2.3 million fractures based on 2015 data. Yet only 9% received a bone mineral density test (BMD). Research on osteoporosis has brought about many advancements in care, which can help to prevent 50% of repeat fractures. This episode highlights some of the most important research from the past decade and how it has changed how healthcare providers diagnose and treat osteoporosis, and what it means for patients. 

Medicare cost of osteoporotic fractures: https://www.bonehealthpolicyinstitute.org/full-milliman-report

NEW - The Economic Impact of Osteoporotic Fractures Webinar: https://vimeo.com/418127721

NEW - The Economic Impact of Osteoporotic Fractures Presentation: https://cdn.nof.org/wp-content/uploads/NOM-Milliman-Webinar-May-2020.pdf

Episode 16: How to eat to stay bone strong all year long

As we kick off the holiday season you may be wondering: Is it possible to indulge in our favorite holiday eats and treats while also eating to build and maintain strong bones? Spoiler alert: yes! 

In this episode, NOF Bone Health Ambassador and Trustee, Barbara Hannah Grufferman, chats with aptly named nutrition expert Dr. Beth Kitchin about how we can choose the right foods to support strong bones. The ladies also discuss some of the delicious recipes that can be found in NOF’s new Bone Health Cookbook. So if you’re looking to prepare a delectable dish for your next holiday gathering, or just wondering how to choose the best food for healthy bones, give this episode a listen. 

Dr. Beth Kitchin
Beth is presently an assistant professor in the UAB Department of Nutrition Sciences where she teaches several undergraduate and graduate courses. She is also the director of the UAB Minor in Nutrition Sciences. She has been the patient educator in UAB’s Osteoporosis Prevention and Treatment Clinic since 1997. Find out more about Dr. Kitchin.

NOF Resource Library: https://www.nof.org/patients/nof-resource-library/

NOF’s Bone Health Cookbook
https://store.nof.org/products/food-for-bones-cookbook

Read our medical disclaimer here: https://www.nof.org/medical-disclaimer/

In this podcast, NOF CEO, Elizabeth Thompson, interviews Dr. Clark to learn how recognizing and using the power of hope can help osteoporosis patients — as well as their loved ones and caregivers — weather the ups and downs of the disease.

Much like osteoporosis, Parkinson’s disease impacts balance, leading to falls and fractures that only further debilitate the person afflicted. In this episode, our very own Dr. Susan Greenspan, President of NOF’s Board of Trustees, sits down with a panel of experts to discuss osteoporosis and Parkinson’s, and a new research trial designed to help prevent falls and fractures in patients with both osteoporosis and Parkinson’s disease. Our panel includes expert commentary from Dr. Caroline Tanner, neurologist specializing in Parkinson’s disease, Dr. Kenneth Lyles, geriatrician and endocrinologist, and Dr. Steve Cummings, expert on the epidemiology of osteoporosis, women's health, and aging.

Episode 13: Menopause and Sex

Every day, approximately 6,000 women in the U.S. reach menopause. By 2020, 50 million women will be postmenopausal, and because we are all living longer, most of us will spend over half our lives as a postmenopausal woman! In this third and final episode of our series on menopause and bone health, we discuss what happens to our bodies when we go through menopause, the impact it may have on your sexual life and why you may not need to put sex on the back burner after all.

• The North American Menopause Society: https://www.menopause.org/

• NY Times Article mentioned in the podcast: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/30/well/live/menopause-sex-decline-partner-husband-wife.html

• NOF Resource Library: https://www.nof.org/patients/nof-resource-library/

Read our medical disclaimer here: https://www.nof.org/medical-disclaimer/