Bulletin Board

Joint publication

The Arthritis Society has produced the Consumer’s Guide to Arthritis Medications, which is endorsed by the Canadian Rheumatology Association. The attractive guide reviews the 2 main categories of medications used in arthritis: symptom control and disease control. Information about the specific medications in each category includes side effects, typical doses, monitoring, and things to avoid. Other topics covered include protecting the stomach, the types of arthritis, and a brief overview of the overall management of arthritis. Visit www.arthritis.ca/programs%20and%20resources/publications/default.asp?s=1 to access the Consumer’s Guide to Arthritis Medications.

At www.arthritis.ca/paindiary, there is a new arthritis pain management diary for patients to record their personal information. The diary is made up of several sections: pain and treatment history, health care providers’ recommendations, caregiver address book, appointment calendar, and resource guide.

More might not be better

The Canadian Cancer Society recently recommended that adults take a vitamin D supplement of 1000 IU/d during the autumn and winter months, and that adults who are at high risk of developing cancer take a vitamin D supplement of 1000 IU/d year-round. Does everybody agree?

A recent RxFiles update stresses that more research is required to confirm that vitamin D supplements prevent cancer and at what dose. Based on an assessment of the literature, the update states that the dosage recommended by the Canadian Cancer Society is unlikely to be harmful; however, patients who take more than 2000 IU/d from all sources (diet and supplements) might be at increased risk of hypercalcemia, hypercalcuria, kidney stones, bone resorption, and soft-tissue calcification. For more information, go to www.RxFiles.ca.

Cough connection

Flu season will soon be upon us. The College of Family Physicians of Canada has developed a list of practical guidelines and resources for both seasonal and pandemic influenza. Just click on the link at www.cfpc.ca.

Body of evidence

As women enter the perimenopausal years, they experience many physical changes. Most of these changes are normal consequences of menopause and growing older. Women can have misconceptions about these changes. The North American Menopause Society has recently published the Menopause Guidebook, which discusses body changes in menopause and ways to stay healthy. Some facts from the guide include the following:

• Not all midlife menstrual changes are due to menopause.

• Pregnancy is still possible until 12 consecutive months have passed without a period.

• Menopause is not the only cause of hot flashes.

• Psychological problems are not caused by menopause.

• Midlife weight gain is mostly related to aging and lifestyle, not menopause.

• A sedentary lifestyle is almost as great a risk factor for heart disease as smoking.

• Advancing age, not menopause, is associated with increased cancer risk.

The North American Menopause Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the health and quality of life of women through an understanding of menopause. Resources for health professionals and patients, including the Menopause Guidebook, can be found on the website at www.menopause.org.