Arthritis is the number one cause of disability in the U.S., attacking 50 million adults and nearly 300,000 children, according to the Arthritis Foundation. May puts arthritis at the forefront with Arthritis Awareness Month, and now, we want to do our part. Thanks to the Arthritis Foundation, you can educate yourself and stay up-to-date on the latest news surrounding the disease.

If you suffer from arthritis, or think you might have symptoms, use this interactive online tool. It lets you search by body part to learn what can go wrong and how to take care of it.

In a previous blog post, we provided the top 10 ways to protect your joints, courtesy of the Arthritis Foundation. The list includes tips such as: maintaining your ideal body weight, pacing yourself and asking for help when you need it. We encourage you to review the full article, because your bone and joint health is our first priority. To schedule an appointment with Orthopaedic Associates of Zanesville, please call 740-454-3273.

ZANESVILLE – Sports Medicine Zanesville will host a free sports physical clinic on Saturday, May 4. Open to all Ohio students, the event starts at 8 a.m. with physicals recommended by the Ohio High School Athletic Association prior to participation in athletics.

“This is a good opportunity for us to give back to our community and ensure that all our local student-athletes are prepared for the upcoming school year,” said Dr. James Gasparine of Sports Medicine Zanesville.

Sports Medicine Zanesville is sponsoring the event, which last year treated nearly 300 students free of charge. Gasparine and his fellow Sports Medicine Zanesville physicians and staff will volunteer their time for the May 4 event, and will be joined by six local primary care physicians and two nurse practitioners. The local volunteers include: Dr. Shelly Dunmyer, Dr. Anthony Flarey, Dr. Ronald Harvey, Dr. Maria Jamiolkowski, Dr. William Shade, Dr. Michael Zimmerer, Angie Pickens, NP and Samantha Cater, NP.

Schools are encouraged to reserve appointment times by emailing sports@orthozane.com or by calling 740-588-1089.

A link to the 2013-2014 OHSAA pre-participation physical evaluation form that all students should use can be found here: http://ohsaa.org/medicine/physicalform.htm

About Sports Medicine Zanesville

Sports Medicine Zanesville is a full-service, comprehensive, orthopaedic center, with a mission dedicated to relieving pain and restoring an active lifestyle in each patient. Sports Medicine Zanesville has a team of highly skilled, board certified orthopaedic surgeons and specialized health care professionals. For more information, visit www.smzanesville.com.

ZANESVILLE – A pair of local doctors will discuss arthritis, heat exhaustion and revised concussion guidelines for high school athletes at two free seminars in Zanesville this month.

Dr. Steven H. Kimberly of Orthopaedic Associates of Zanesville will discuss arthritis at 6 p.m. Monday, April 22 on the second floor of the Orthopaedic Associates of Zanesville / Sports Medicine Zanesville facility at 2854 Bell Street.

Dr. James Gasparine of Sports Medicine Zanesville, will speak at 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 24 on heat exhaustion and the Ohio High School Athletic Association’s new regulations designed to protect young athletes from head injuries. His presentation will also be held on the second floor at 2854 Bell Street.

“Pain as a result of arthritis is one of our most common medical problems,” said Dr. Kimberly, noting that nearly 46 million Americans have arthritis. Dr. Kimberly, an orthopaedic surgeon with Orthopaedic Associates of Zanesville since 1995 added: “People tend to have a lot of questions about the disease and its causes and treatments. I want to help answer those questions.”

With warmer weather around the corner and the new concussion standards becoming effective April 26, Dr. Gasparine’s seminar will educate Zanesville residents about how to recognize and prevent two common conditions associated with sports and summer.

“We want to make sure parents, coaches and the community as a whole understand and recognize the signs of concussions and follow the proper protocols,” Dr. Gasparine said. “Heat exhaustion is also an important issue as summer approaches and we want to encourage anyone with questions to attend.”

Residents interested in taking part in either discussion are encouraged to reserve their spot by emailing sports@orthozane.com or by calling 740-588-1089.

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About Orthopaedic Associates of Zanesville and Sports Medicine Zanesville

Orthopaedic Associates of Zanesville and Sports Medicine Zanesville are full service, comprehensive, orthopaedic centers, with a mission dedicated to relieving pain and restoring an active lifestyle in each patient. Orthopaedic Associates of Zanesville and Sports Medicine Zanesville have a team of highly skilled, board certified orthopaedic surgeons and specialized health care professionals. For more information, visit www.orthozane.com or www.smzanesville.com.

Ohio ranked No. 8 in Gallup’s recent 2012 survey of the U.S.’s most obese states. The poll shows 29.5 percent of our state’s population is considered obese, slightly above the national average of 26.2 percent.

Obesity is defined in the poll as any person having a Body Mass Index (BMI) score of 30 or more. Our neighbors to the south, West Virginia, came in at the heaviest while Colorado ranked as the thinnest state in the United States.

Orthopaedic Associates of Zanesville wants our patients to lead a healthy lifestyle with plenty of exercise and a balanced diet. We encourage you to read our previous blog posts, listed below, which have outlined our country’s obesity epidemic and tips for living a healthier life:

Don’t Wait to Lose Weight

Mickey Mouse Says No to Junk Food

Slow Down When You Chow Down

The Weight of Responsibility: America’s Obese Children

Remember that legendary advertising campaign? “Milk; it does a body good.” Well, that tagline is code for: “Calcium; it does a body good.” Calcium and Vitamin D are both critical to building strong bones, but a new study shows overloading on calcium supplements could actually be harmful.

The average person ingests enough calcium in their diet to avoid bone deterioration from deficiency. This level is about 600 milligrams per day. But recommendations indicate most adults should now target roughly 1,000 milligrams per day, with teenagers and men and women 50 years or older requiring 1,200-1,300 milligrams.

If you or a loved one is having trouble getting enough calcium from food, calcium supplements can be used in moderation. However, American Bone Health cautions that 500 milligrams is likely the maximum amount needed as a supplement to a person’s diet.

Orthopaedic Associates of Zanesville recommends revisiting your diet, as simple adjustments can make a big difference. Below is a list of food to add to your shopping list along with its average calcium serving (courtesy of Go Ask Alice!):

• Milk: 300 mg (8 oz)
• Yogurt: 300 mg (8 oz)
• Cheddar cheese: 303 mg (1.5 oz)
• Tofu: 258 mg (1/2 cup)
• Chinese cabbage: 239 mg (1/2 cup)
• White beans: 113 mg (1/2 cup)
• Pinto beans: 45 mg (1/2 cup)
• Red beans: 41 mg (1/2 cup)

Our friends at American Bone Health also offer the Calcium Rule of 300 for maintaining a healthy calcium intake.