Arthritis Foundation, Georgia Chapter and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia Announce Partnership

/PRNewswire/ -- The Arthritis Foundation today announced a new relationship with Atlanta-based Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia (BCBSGA), who will serve as the local charity's presenting Arthritis Walk sponsor. As the presenting sponsor of the Arthritis Walk Atlanta, BCBSGA will provide financial support, as well as onsite support by mobilizing its more than 3,000 employees throughout the state to participate in their local Arthritis Walk.

"Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia's generosity allows the Arthritis Foundation to re-focus a considerable amount of its resources back to its mission of raising awareness, funding research and providing services to the more than 1.8 millions Georgians - including 9,200 children - who are living with arthritis," said Rob Shaw, president and CEO of the Arthritis Foundation, Georgia Chapter. "This unique relationship speaks volumes about BCBSGA's commitment to have a positive impact in the lives of people living with one of the more than 100 forms of arthritis."

As the nation's most common cause of disability, arthritis affects more than 46 million people nationally. In Georgia alone, arthritis costs the economy $3.9 billion in medical expenses.

"At BCBSGA we continually look for ways to positively impact the well-being of the people we serve and the overall health of our communities," said Monye Connolly, president, BCBSGA. "We have aligned with the Arthritis Foundation in an effort to help the millions of Georgians living with arthritis improve their overall quality of life."

The Arthritis Walk-Atlanta is slated for May 22, 2010 at Atlantic Station in Midtown Atlanta. The event raises desperately needed funds for arthritis research, programs and services that will directly support those affected by arthritis. Offerings include a one and three-mile course followed by lunch and entertainment for the whole family. For many, the Arthritis Walk is their first step in taking control of their arthritis. Exercise, especially walking, is a particularly effective tool in managing arthritis.

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Osteoporosis: The brittle bone disease

/24-7/ -- According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, 1 in 2 woman over the age of 50, and 1 in 4 men in the same age group will suffer a hip fracture due to osteoporosis. There are currently 10 million Americans with osteoporosis, 8 million of which are women. The cost of osteoporosis to the United States Health Care system is $43 million dollars a day. Osteoporosis is becoming an epidemic in this country. Perhaps the most somber statistic is that 1 in 4 women who suffer an osteoporotic hip fracture will die within one year of that fracture. This is not a disease to be taken lightly. As with most healthcare problems in the United States, prevention is the key. When you are already diagnosed with osteoporosis and put on a medication such as Fosamax, it is too late. The key is to prevent the disorder from happening. One important point with osteoporosis is that women build all of their bone density by the age of 20. Thus, building bone in childhood and the teenage years becomes very important. So, how do we build bone and prevent osteoporosis. First, weight-bearing exercise is vastly important. As stress is placed on a bone, the bone responds by laying down more bone to strengthen the area. Even walking for fifteen minutes a day can positively affect bone density. However, if the body does not have the building blocks it will not be able to make more bone. The building blocks to good bone density include calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D. It is very important to build bone, but it is even more important that we aren't taking calcium and bone out of our body as well. Caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol have all been shown to leech calcium out of your bones. So, we must all stop smoking and drinking. It is also important to note that osteoporosis is not just an elderly persons disease. If we do not watch what we do, we can develop osteoporosis at a much younger age. Getting your bone density checked is a great first step on the road to better bone health. A bone density test can give a good starting point and a good reference point for later in life. Most importantly, you should be evaluated by a doctor to determine your risks and treatment options. Osteoporosis is definitely a disease you want to be ahead of. You do not want to be lying in bed with a fractured hip before you decide to think about your bone health. As always, prevention is the key, get out, walk, take your vitamins, and a get a check up, before it is too late.


This article is not intended to diagnose, cure, or treat any disease. This article is not intended to substitute for the advice of a doctor.

"It is a noble work to be a nurse, and nurse the sick. It is a great profession of physicians who relieve the suffering, but greater than all is the chiropractor who can adjust the cause of disease and get them well."
-Dr. B.J. Palmer

By  Village Family Chiroractic. LLC

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Go Bike Georgia

As winter drags on and those New Year’s resolutions start to fall by the wayside, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) makes it a little easier to stick with your commitment to spend more time outdoors. Bike trails on state parks and wildlife management areas around the state offer cycling opportunities that range from easy riding to challenging mountain biking.

"One of the great things about living in Georgia is that we can enjoy outdoor activities year-round," said DNR Commissioner Chris Clark. "Whether you’re just learning to ride your first two-wheeler or you ride for miles every weekend, we have bike trails that everyone can enjoy."

Variety of Challenges

Little tykes just learning to use their bikes can practice on the flat, paved trails at Tallulah Gorge State Park in northeast Georgia or Red Top Mountain State Park on Lake Allatoona. Hard-core mountain bikers looking for a challenge should not miss trails at Fort Mountain, Unicoi, Fort Yargo and Tallulah Gorge state parks. These tracks are guaranteed to get heart rates pumping.

For those in the middle who simply want a good workout with pretty scenery, Georgia’s state parks offer several options. Watson Mill Bridge State Park near Athens has a relatively easy mountain bike trail near its covered bridge and river. Panola Mountain State Park in Stockbridge has joined the PATH network with several miles of paved trail that twist and dip through forests and neighborhoods. In eastern Georgia, bikers can pedal past lily pads and alligators at Magnolia Springs State Park. Numerous other bike trails are detailed on www.GeorgiaStateParks.org .

Muddy Spokes Club

Grab your bike, helmet and energy bars. The Muddy Spokes Club includes 11 state parks with bike trails that range from breath-taking singletrack to paved paths. Designed to challenge park visitors who want to get some exercise while enjoying the great outdoors, the Muddy Spokes Club offers 69 miles of bike trails. Finish all of them and earn bragging rights along with a "mud-splattered" t-shirt. For more information, go to www.GeorgiaStateParks.org/muddyspokes.

Cycling on Wildlife Management Areas

Cycling on Wildlife Management Areas is allowed year-round, unless otherwise posted at the WMA check station or at a specific recreation site. Cyclists are restricted to open improved roads, designated trails or designated areas.

One example of an available trail is at the Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center in Mansfield. This 5.6-mile multi-use trail is available for cyclists, horseback riders and hikers. Please note that this trail is closed during firearms deer hunts and from sunrise until 10 am during archery (deer) and turkey hunts. Find out more at www.georgiawildlife.com .

"Go Bike, Georgia" is the latest in a series of outdoor adventure tips from DNR Commissioner Clark that highlight affordable getaways, outdoor activities close to home, and creative ways to support conservation in Georgia. The series is part of DNR’s "Get Outdoors, Georgia" initiative, which encourages citizens to lead healthy, active lifestyles in the great outdoors and includes hiking, biking and paddling clubs, as well as outdoor events.

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