April/May 2012

Visit us online at www.patientedu.org/hiv

H istoplasmosis is caused by a fungus called Histoplasma capsulatum. In the United States, this infection is

common in several regions, especially the Ohio and Mississippi River Valleys. Almost

all cases of histoplasmosis are acquired by inhaling the organism, but it’s dangerous

because it can travel throughout the body beyond the lungs.

To prevent exposure to the fungus, people with CD4 counts of less than 150 cells/μL should avoid:

• Creating dust when working with surface soil.

• Disturbing areas contaminated with bird or bat droppings.

• Cleaning, remodeling, or demolishing old buildings.

• Exploring caves.

The good news is that histoplasmosis in people with HIV appears to have declined since the use of potent antiretroviral therapy. Prophylactic medications can also help prevent histoplasmosis. If you think you may be at risk for histoplasmosis, talk to your healthcare provider about your treatment options.

Source: CDC (www.aidsinfo.nih.gov/contentfiles/Adult_OI.pdf).

Also in this issue:

Kick the Drinking Habit

Learning About Histoplasmosis

Reduce Your Stroke Risk

Feature:

Managing Bone Problems

A lcohol can weaken your immune system so that it can-not properly fight HIV. Alcohol abuse can also raise your risk of side effects from HIV drugs, damage the liver and

pancreas, and cause problems with sleeping, stomach ulcers, and your digestive system. Fortunately, many resources are available to help you take control of your drinking.

The first step is to talk to someone you trust and get support. Your healthcare provider can give you advice and recommend services. Many support groups and treatment programs are available. Some work together with HIV support groups.

Realize too that relapses are common. Keep your counseling appointments and talk with your healthcare providers about your goals to be so-ber and fight HIV.

April is Alcohol Awareness Month, a cam-paign from the National Council on Alcohol-ism and Drug Dependence. It educates Amer-icans about alcoholism as a chronic disease. To learn more, go to www.ncadd.org.

Source: New York State Department of Health (www.health.state.ny.us/publications/9609.pdf).

A ccording to the American Stroke Association, nine out of 10 Americans between the ages of 18 and 24 believe they’re living healthy lifestyles, but the reality is that most are not.

For years, it has been known that heart disease rates are on the rise in people living with HIV. More recently, new studies have shown that the rate of stroke—which is a heart disease risk factor—has increased significantly over the past decade in people living with HIV.

Several conditions can increase your risk of stroke, including a his-tory of stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease. As you age, your risk for stroke also increases. Talk to your healthcare provider about what you can do to decrease your stroke risks.

Here are 5 good prevention strategies:

1) Quit smoking: Tobacco use is a major preventable risk factor for stroke and heart disease. Even if you have smoked for years, you can still reduce your risk by quitting now.

2) Lose weight & monitor cho-lesterol: Reducing your dietary intake of saturated fats and cho-lesterol may help you reduce your risk of stroke.

3) Get active: A sedentary life-style that doesn’t involve regular exercise can contribute to heart disease, which may also lead to stroke.

4) Cut back on the booze: Alcohol intake can increase stroke risks.

5) Stop using illegal drugs: Some illegal drugs have been linked to higher risks for stroke. Get the help you need and kick the habit.

Source: The Internet Stroke Center (www.strokecenter.org/patients/risk.htm).

Kick the

Drinking HabitLearning About

Histoplasmosis

Reduce Your Stroke Risk

May is American Stroke Month, an initiative from the American Stroke Association that encourages young people to learn how to strive for ideal health to reduce the risk of stroke. American Stroke Month can help you learn stroke symptoms. For more information, go to www.strokeassociation.org.

PEC-HL-APR-038

The editorial content for this brochure was developed and created solely by the Patient Education Center. The content does not necessarily

represent the opinions and/or views of our advertisers.

Healthy Living With HIV is published by the Patient Education Center. Offices: 2445 Kuser Road, Suite 202, Hamilton, NJ 08690; and 180 Mount Airy Road, Suite 102, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920. Reproduction without written permission from the publisher is prohibited.

Publication of an advertisement or other product mention in Healthy Living With HIV should not be construed as an endorsement of the product or the manufacturer’s claims. Such advertising or product mentions should similarly not be construed as either influencing or controlling the editorial content of Healthy Living With HIV. The appearance of or reference to any person or entity in the editorial material (including photographs) in this brochure does not constitute an expressed or implied endorsement of the product advertised. Readers are encouraged to contact the product manufacturer with any questions about the features and/or limitations of any product mentioned. The reader also is advised to consult appropriate medical literature and the product information currently provided by the manufacturer of each drug to verify indications, dosage, method, duration of administration, and contraindications.

Copyright 2012, Patient Education Center

April/May 2012

Visit us online at www.patientedu.org/hiv

H istoplasmosis is caused by a fungus called Histoplasma capsulatum. In the United States, this infection is

common in several regions, especially the Ohio and Mississippi River Valleys. Almost

all cases of histoplasmosis are acquired by inhaling the organism, but it’s dangerous

because it can travel throughout the body beyond the lungs.

To prevent exposure to the fungus, people with CD4 counts of less than 150 cells/μL should avoid:

• Creating dust when working with surface soil.

• Disturbing areas contaminated with bird or bat droppings.

• Cleaning, remodeling, or demolishing old buildings.

• Exploring caves.

The good news is that histoplasmosis in people with HIV appears to have declined since the use of potent antiretroviral therapy. Prophylactic medications can also help prevent histoplasmosis. If you think you may be at risk for histoplasmosis, talk to your healthcare provider about your treatment options.

Source: CDC (www.aidsinfo.nih.gov/contentfiles/Adult_OI.pdf).

Also in this issue:

Kick the Drinking Habit

Learning About Histoplasmosis

Reduce Your Stroke Risk

Feature:

Managing Bone Problems

A lcohol can weaken your immune system so that it can-not properly fight HIV. Alcohol abuse can also raise your risk of side effects from HIV drugs, damage the liver and

pancreas, and cause problems with sleeping, stomach ulcers, and your digestive system. Fortunately, many resources are available to help you take control of your drinking.

The first step is to talk to someone you trust and get support. Your healthcare provider can give you advice and recommend services. Many support groups and treatment programs are available. Some work together with HIV support groups.

Realize too that relapses are common. Keep your counseling appointments and talk with your healthcare providers about your goals to be so-ber and fight HIV.

April is Alcohol Awareness Month, a cam-paign from the National Council on Alcohol-ism and Drug Dependence. It educates Amer-icans about alcoholism as a chronic disease. To learn more, go to www.ncadd.org.

Source: New York State Department of Health (www.health.state.ny.us/publications/9609.pdf).

A ccording to the American Stroke Association, nine out of 10 Americans between the ages of 18 and 24 believe they’re living healthy lifestyles, but the reality is that most are not.

For years, it has been known that heart disease rates are on the rise in people living with HIV. More recently, new studies have shown that the rate of stroke—which is a heart disease risk factor—has increased significantly over the past decade in people living with HIV.

Several conditions can increase your risk of stroke, including a his-tory of stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease. As you age, your risk for stroke also increases. Talk to your healthcare provider about what you can do to decrease your stroke risks.

Here are 5 good prevention strategies:

1) Quit smoking: Tobacco use is a major preventable risk factor for stroke and heart disease. Even if you have smoked for years, you can still reduce your risk by quitting now.

2) Lose weight & monitor cho-lesterol: Reducing your dietary intake of saturated fats and cho-lesterol may help you reduce your risk of stroke.

3) Get active: A sedentary life-style that doesn’t involve regular exercise can contribute to heart disease, which may also lead to stroke.

4) Cut back on the booze: Alcohol intake can increase stroke risks.

5) Stop using illegal drugs: Some illegal drugs have been linked to higher risks for stroke. Get the help you need and kick the habit.

Source: The Internet Stroke Center (www.strokecenter.org/patients/risk.htm).

Kick the

Drinking HabitLearning About

Histoplasmosis

Reduce Your Stroke Risk

May is American Stroke Month, an initiative from the American Stroke Association that encourages young people to learn how to strive for ideal health to reduce the risk of stroke. American Stroke Month can help you learn stroke symptoms. For more information, go to www.strokeassociation.org.

PEC-HL-APR-038

The editorial content for this brochure was developed and created solely by the Patient Education Center. The content does not necessarily

represent the opinions and/or views of our advertisers.

Healthy Living With HIV is published by the Patient Education Center. Offices: 2445 Kuser Road, Suite 202, Hamilton, NJ 08690; and 180 Mount Airy Road, Suite 102, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920. Reproduction without written permission from the publisher is prohibited.

Publication of an advertisement or other product mention in Healthy Living With HIV should not be construed as an endorsement of the product or the manufacturer’s claims. Such advertising or product mentions should similarly not be construed as either influencing or controlling the editorial content of Healthy Living With HIV. The appearance of or reference to any person or entity in the editorial material (including photographs) in this brochure does not constitute an expressed or implied endorsement of the product advertised. Readers are encouraged to contact the product manufacturer with any questions about the features and/or limitations of any product mentioned. The reader also is advised to consult appropriate medical literature and the product information currently provided by the manufacturer of each drug to verify indications, dosage, method, duration of administration, and contraindications.

Copyright 2012, Patient Education Center

As people age, bone problems can develop. In the body, old bone is removed and new bone is added all the time. In children and young adults, more bone is added than what is removed. Bones

get larger, heavier, and stronger. After age 30, more bone is removed than is added. Bones can then become lighter and more brittle.

Studies have revealed that HIV infection causes a loss of bone mineral density. This can ultimately lead to the development of osteoporosis, a condition that occurs when too much mineral is removed from the bone framework. People with osteoporosis are at risk for fractures, especially in the hip, spine, and wrist.

Current estimates show that as many as 50% of Americans aged 50 and older will be at risk for osteoporosis fractures during their lifetime. For people with HIV, the rates of osteoporosis are even higher. This may be because of HIV infection itself, but it’s still unclear how this happens. In some cases, bone health can worsen with the use of some medications that are needed to treat HIV.

Osteoporosis CausesThe loss of bone mineral density associated with osteoporosis can occur without any pain or symptoms. Often, the first sign of osteoporosis is a bone fracture. As people age, bones lose their mineral content. There are many factors that increase your risk for osteoporosis, some of which can be controlled while others can’t.

Controllable Factors:• Having low levels of calcium or vitamin D in your diet.

• Smoking.

• Drinking more than 3 alcoholic drinks a day.

• Drinking too much coffee.

• Being physically inactive.

Uncontrollable Factors:• Being older than 50.

• Being a woman who has passed menopause.

• Being Caucasian or Asian (African Americans and Hispanics have lower risk).

• Having a parent who fractured a hip.

• Being slender and lightweight.

Some health conditions also increase the risk of osteoporosis, including severe malnutrition, low testosterone levels, hepatitis C infection, and rheumatoid arthritis and related diseases. Other health conditions that can raise your osteoporosis risk include advanced kidney disease, thyroid disorders, and long-term use of anti-inflammatory drugs and antacids.

Get DiagnosedUnfortunately, there may be no signs of osteoporosis until a bone is broken. The only way to tell how fast your bones are losing mineral content is with testing. A Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry scan, also called a DEXA scan, is one of the most common tests to measure

bone mineral density. These scans are quick and relatively painless. If you sustain a bone break and have risk factors for osteoporosis, you should ask your healthcare provider if you should have your bone mineral density assessed.

Prevention StrategiesThe good news is that there are things you can do to prevent osteoporosis. Get plenty of calcium while you are building bone. This should be done up until you hit age 30. The higher your peak bone density, the better. You can also reduce your risk of osteoporosis and fractures by doing the things listed in the Table above.

Table | Reducing Your RiskHere are several things you can do to cut your risk of osteoporosis and disease-related fractures:

Get enough calcium. Recommended levels vary by age:

- Ages 9-18: 1,300 mg/day

- Ages 19-50: 1,000 mg/day

- Older than 50: 1,200 mg/day

To get enough calcium from your food, eat yogurt, cheese, or milk. Almonds, beans, figs, broccoli, and many other foods are also good sources of calcium. If you take calcium supplements, vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium.

Do more weight-bearing exercise. Studies show that this can signal the bones to retain more mineral content.

Stop smoking. In addition to improving bone health, it can also reduce your risks of cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.

Reduce intake of caffeine and alcohol.

Reduce risks of falling. Clear walkways at home and be careful on stairs or steep slopes.

Consider medications. Drugs are available to increase bone mineral density in people with HIV, but talk to your doctor to find out if this approach is right for you.

Source: TheBody.com (www.thebody.com/content/treat/art6011.html).

Get Involved in Your Bone Health!May is National Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month, run by the National Osteoporosis Foundation. The goal is to educate people about bone health and osteoporosis.

The National Osteoporosis Foundation provides helpful online toolkits and resources to increase awareness of osteoporosis and bone health among women and men of all ages and backgrounds. For more information, go to www.nof.org.

HIV infection can cause a loss of bone mineral density, but there are things you can do to prevent bone loss and keep your bones healthy.

Managing Bone Problems

If you sustain a bone break and have risk factors for osteoporosis, you should ask your healthcare provider if you should have your bone mineral density assessed.

As people age, bone problems can develop. In the body, old bone is removed and new bone is added all the time. In children and young adults, more bone is added than what is removed. Bones

get larger, heavier, and stronger. After age 30, more bone is removed than is added. Bones can then become lighter and more brittle.

Studies have revealed that HIV infection causes a loss of bone mineral density. This can ultimately lead to the development of osteoporosis, a condition that occurs when too much mineral is removed from the bone framework. People with osteoporosis are at risk for fractures, especially in the hip, spine, and wrist.

Current estimates show that as many as 50% of Americans aged 50 and older will be at risk for osteoporosis fractures during their lifetime. For people with HIV, the rates of osteoporosis are even higher. This may be because of HIV infection itself, but it’s still unclear how this happens. In some cases, bone health can worsen with the use of some medications that are needed to treat HIV.

Osteoporosis CausesThe loss of bone mineral density associated with osteoporosis can occur without any pain or symptoms. Often, the first sign of osteoporosis is a bone fracture. As people age, bones lose their mineral content. There are many factors that increase your risk for osteoporosis, some of which can be controlled while others can’t.

Controllable Factors:• Having low levels of calcium or vitamin D in your diet.

• Smoking.

• Drinking more than 3 alcoholic drinks a day.

• Drinking too much coffee.

• Being physically inactive.

Uncontrollable Factors:• Being older than 50.

• Being a woman who has passed menopause.

• Being Caucasian or Asian (African Americans and Hispanics have lower risk).

• Having a parent who fractured a hip.

• Being slender and lightweight.

Some health conditions also increase the risk of osteoporosis, including severe malnutrition, low testosterone levels, hepatitis C infection, and rheumatoid arthritis and related diseases. Other health conditions that can raise your osteoporosis risk include advanced kidney disease, thyroid disorders, and long-term use of anti-inflammatory drugs and antacids.

Get DiagnosedUnfortunately, there may be no signs of osteoporosis until a bone is broken. The only way to tell how fast your bones are losing mineral content is with testing. A Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry scan, also called a DEXA scan, is one of the most common tests to measure

bone mineral density. These scans are quick and relatively painless. If you sustain a bone break and have risk factors for osteoporosis, you should ask your healthcare provider if you should have your bone mineral density assessed.

Prevention StrategiesThe good news is that there are things you can do to prevent osteoporosis. Get plenty of calcium while you are building bone. This should be done up until you hit age 30. The higher your peak bone density, the better. You can also reduce your risk of osteoporosis and fractures by doing the things listed in the Table above.

Table | Reducing Your RiskHere are several things you can do to cut your risk of osteoporosis and disease-related fractures:

Get enough calcium. Recommended levels vary by age:

- Ages 9-18: 1,300 mg/day

- Ages 19-50: 1,000 mg/day

- Older than 50: 1,200 mg/day

To get enough calcium from your food, eat yogurt, cheese, or milk. Almonds, beans, figs, broccoli, and many other foods are also good sources of calcium. If you take calcium supplements, vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium.

Do more weight-bearing exercise. Studies show that this can signal the bones to retain more mineral content.

Stop smoking. In addition to improving bone health, it can also reduce your risks of cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.

Reduce intake of caffeine and alcohol.

Reduce risks of falling. Clear walkways at home and be careful on stairs or steep slopes.

Consider medications. Drugs are available to increase bone mineral density in people with HIV, but talk to your doctor to find out if this approach is right for you.

Source: TheBody.com (www.thebody.com/content/treat/art6011.html).

Get Involved in Your Bone Health!May is National Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month, run by the National Osteoporosis Foundation. The goal is to educate people about bone health and osteoporosis.

The National Osteoporosis Foundation provides helpful online toolkits and resources to increase awareness of osteoporosis and bone health among women and men of all ages and backgrounds. For more information, go to www.nof.org.

HIV infection can cause a loss of bone mineral density, but there are things you can do to prevent bone loss and keep your bones healthy.

Managing Bone Problems

If you sustain a bone break and have risk factors for osteoporosis, you should ask your healthcare provider if you should have your bone mineral density assessed.