• Children's Center

    Housecall: What can you do to keep your bones healthy for a lifetime?

a smiling older woman in the pool in a swimming or water fitness class

THIS WEEK'S TOP TOPICS
Healthy bones for a lifetime
Your bones do more for you than you may realize. They give you the structure and support that you need to breathe, walk, carry a heavy bag or ride a bike. Your bones also protect your organs, anchor your muscles, and store and supply calcium — a mineral that all body cells need. But in recent years, researchers have discovered that the skeleton also plays an important role in the endocrine system, helping regulate your body's metabolism and sensitivity to insulin. Here's what you need to know to have healthy bones for a lifetime.

Vegetarian diet: How to get the best nutrition
Vegetarian diets continue to increase in popularity. Reasons for following a vegetarian diet are varied but include health benefits such as reducing your risk of heart disease, diabetes and some cancers. A well-planned vegetarian diet is a healthy way to meet your nutritional needs, but some vegetarians rely too heavily on processed foods, which can be high in calories, sugar, fat and sodium. Here's how to make sure your vegetarian diet includes everything that your body needs.

EXPERT ANSWERS
What are the symptoms of bladder infection in men?
Although bladder infections are more common in women, men can get them, too. It's important to know the signs and symptoms, and the conditions that may be linked to an increased risk of bladder infection in men. Learn more from Dr. Erik Castle, a Mayo Clinic urologist.

What happens if silicone breast implants rupture?
Ruptured silicone breast implants can cause breast pain, or changes in the contour or shape of the breast. However, ruptured silicone breast implants aren't thought to cause breast cancer, reproductive problems or connective tissue disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis. Learn more from Dr. Sandhya Pruthi, a Mayo Clinic general internal medicine physician and past director of the Mayo Clinic Breast Diagnostic Clinic.

PLUS ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
Female fertility: Why lifestyle choices count
Dislocated shoulder
Sun allergy
Video: 'New School Anxiety'

HEALTHY RECIPES
Guacamole with beans
Chicken burritos
Ratatouille with roasted tomato vinaigrette
Watermelon-cranberry agua fresca

HEALTH TIP OF THE WEEK
Bad cut? You may need a tetanus shot
Minor cuts and scrapes usually don't require medical attention. But if your wound is deep or dirty, and your last tetanus shot was more than five years ago, ask your health care provider about getting a tetanus booster. And get the booster as soon as possible after the injury.

Need practical advice on diet and exercise? Want creative solutions for stress and other lifestyle issues? Discover more healthy lifestyle topics at mayoclinic.org.

Receive a free e-subscription to Housecall and other health newsletters.