New Resources

Bones, Joints, and Muscles

• Fast Facts on Growth Plate Injuries and Scoliosis
  Format: Fact Sheet
  Institute: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)

  A new series of “easy-to-read” fact sheets, launched by NIAMS, covers a number of diseases and conditions that affect the bones and connective tissue. Among these are growth plate injuries, which happen to children and young people, and affect the areas of growing tissue near the end of the bones. These injuries most often occur at the wrist, in the legs, or at the hip. Another fact sheet covers scoliosis, a disorder in which there is a sideways curve of the backbone.
  
  Known as the “Fast Facts” series, these fact sheets use everyday language to describe a wide variety of problems affecting bone, muscle, joints, and skin. They include basic information about each condition, and information on how to minimize symptoms, what treatment options are available, and details about current NIAMS research on each subject. More

  Next Steps
  You can view these fact sheets online and they are available in pdf format for easy printing. The growth plate injury information is found at http://www.niams.nih.gov/hi/topics/growth_plate/ffgrowth.htm. You can read the fact sheet on scoliosis by visiting http://www.niams.nih.gov/hi/topics/scoliosis/ffscoliosis.htm.

• Smoking, Calcium Supplements, and Osteoporosis
  Format: Fact Sheet
  Institute: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)

  Taking care of your bones is an important part of staying healthy. Those who smoke, or who have insufficient calcium in their diet, are at increased risk of osteoporosis and other problems. Women have to be particularly careful for two reasons: They have less bone tissue to begin with, and they lose bone faster than men because of the changes that happen with menopause.
  
  NIAMS has added two fact sheets to its osteoporosis and bone health series. Smoking and Bone Health describes the mounting evidence that smoking increases the risk of having a fracture. Also, significant bone loss has been found in older women and men who smoke, and smokers who fracture can take longer to heal than nonsmokers and might experience more complications during the healing process.
  
  A second fact sheet, Calcium Supplements: What to Look for, points out that getting enough calcium is important because the human body cannot make it. The body loses calcium every day through the skin, nails, hair, and sweat, as well as through urine and feces. This lost calcium must be replaced daily through the diet. Otherwise, the body takes calcium out of the bones to perform other necessary functions. This makes the bones weaker and more likely to break over time. More

  Next Steps
  You can view these fact sheets online and in pdf format. The fact sheet on smoking and bone health is found at http://www.niams.nih.gov/bone/hi/bone_smoking.htm. The fact sheet about calcium supplements can be found by visiting http://www.niams.nih.gov/bone/hi/calcium_supp.htm.

• Distinguish Strains from Sprains
  Format: Fact Sheet
  Institute: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)

  For many of us, summer means a sudden start of athletic activities, and the pains and minor injuries that come along with it. But you may wish to prepare by learning the difference between a sprain and a strain, so that you can seek appropriate treatment.
  
  A sprain is an injury to a ligament that gets stretched or torn. Many things can cause a sprain. Falling, twisting, or getting hit can force a joint out of its normal position. This can cause ligaments around the joint to stretch or tear. Sprains can occur if people fall and land on an arm or on the side of their foot, or if they twist a knee. A strain is caused by twisting or pulling a muscle or tendon. Strains can happen suddenly or develop over days or weeks. A sudden, acute strain can be caused by a recent injury, lifting heavy objects the wrong way, or overstressing the muscles. Chronic strains are usually caused by moving the muscles and tendons the same way over and over.
  
  What Are Sprains and Strains? is one of a new series of “easy-to-read” fact sheets launched by NIAMS. Known as the “Fast Facts” series, these fact sheets use everyday language to describe a wide variety of problems affecting bone, muscle, joints, and skin. They include basic information about each condition as well as information on how to minimize symptoms, what treatment options are available, and details about current NIAMS research on each subject.

  Next Steps
  You can view the fact sheet on sprains and strains by visiting http://www.niams.nih.gov/hi/topics/strain_sprain/ffstrain_sprain.htm.

• What Are Heritable Disorders of Connective Tissue?
  Format: Fact Sheet
  Institute: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)

  Connective tissue supports many parts of the body such as the skin, eyes, and heart. It helps bring nutrients to the tissue, gives tissue form and strength, and helps some of the tissues do their work. Heritable disorders of connective tissue are genetic disorders affecting the tissue that connects the cells of the body. These disorders lead to various problems affecting bone growth and joint, skin, and blood vessel function.
  
  What Are Heritable Disorders of Connective Tissue? is available as part of a new series of “easy-to-read” fact sheets launched by NIAMS. Known as the “Fast Facts” series, these sheets use everyday language to describe a wide variety of problems affecting bone, muscle, joints, and skin. They include basic information about each condition and information on how to minimize symptoms, what treatment options are available, and details about current NIAMS research on each subject.

  Next Steps
  You can view the fact sheet on Heritable Disorders of Connective Tissue by visiting http://www.niams.nih.gov/hi/topics/connective/ffhdct.htm.

Communication Disorders

• Learn Where to Turn: Directory Encourages Networking in Communication Disorders
  Format: Directory
  Institute: National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)

  Where can I seek financial assistance for a hearing aid? Is there a support group for people who stutter? What types of assistive devices are available for my hard of hearing student? Parents, grandparents, teachers, counselors, health care workers, and others may have questions such as these from time to time and not know who to contact.
  
  NIDCD’s 2005 Information Resource Directory features descriptions and contact information for nearly 150 nonprofit and federal organizations committed to preventing communication disorders or improving the lives of people who have disorders of hearing, balance, smell, taste, voice, speech, and language.

  Next Steps
  To order a free copy of the newly updated directory, contact the NIDCD Information Clearinghouse toll-free at (800) 242-1044 (voice) or (800) 242-1055 (TTY), or order online at http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/order/pubs_type.asp?type=general. The searchable database of organizations is also available online at http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/directory/index.asp.

Community Outreach

• Learn Where to Turn: Directory Encourages Networking in Communication Disorders
  Format: Directory
  Institute: National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)

  Where can I seek financial assistance for a hearing aid? Is there a support group for people who stutter? What types of assistive devices are available for my hard of hearing student? Parents, grandparents, teachers, counselors, health care workers, and others may have questions such as these from time to time and not know who to contact.
  
  NIDCD’s 2005 Information Resource Directory features descriptions and contact information for nearly 150 nonprofit and federal organizations committed to preventing communication disorders or improving the lives of people who have disorders of hearing, balance, smell, taste, voice, speech, and language.

  Next Steps
  To order a free copy of the newly updated directory, contact the NIDCD Information Clearinghouse toll-free at (800) 242-1044 (voice) or (800) 242-1055 (TTY), or order online at http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/order/pubs_type.asp?type=general. The searchable database of organizations is also available online at http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/directory/index.asp.

HIV/AIDS

• Find Out About Clinical Trials for Vaccines Against HIV
  Format: Fact Sheet
  Institute: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)

  In 2003, an estimated 43,000 men, women, and children in the United States were diagnosed with AIDS and 18,000 people died from the disease. That same year, an estimated 930,000 people in the United States were living with AIDS.
  
  Biomedical researchers are working to develop a vaccine that reduces or eliminates the risk of contracting HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Community volunteers are critical to the development of an HIV vaccine for market. Volunteers that participate in vaccine clinical trials provide a great service to the health of the world’s population.
  
  NIAID supports all phases of clinical research to develop HIV vaccines and has a series of fact sheets with answers to frequently asked questions in an easy-to-read format. The updated fact sheet titled Clinical Research on HIV Vaccines provides basic information about clinical trials and describes the history of research on preventive HIV and therapeutic AIDS vaccines.
  
  A second fact sheet, HIV Vaccine Research, provides answers that an individual should have before considering participation in an HIV vaccine trial. More

  Next Steps
  You can read these two fact sheets, or find out more about HIV and AIDS, on the NIAID Web site at www.niaid.nih.gov. To read Clinical Research on HIV, visit http://www.niaid.nih.gov/factsheets/clinrsch.htm. To read HIV Vaccine Research, visit http://www.niaid.nih.gov/publications/vaccine/hiv_vaccineresearch.htm.

• By the Numbers: Help With Locating Statistics on HIV and AIDS
  Format: Fact Sheet
  Institute: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)

  The total number of people in the world living with AIDS in 2004 was estimated at 39.4 million by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS. The number of deaths worldwide in 2004 was estimated at 3.1 million.
  
  To help you find data such as the number of AIDS cases, the number of people infected with HIV, or the number of people with AIDS in each state, a new HIV/AIDS statistics resource sheet is available. This sheet lists organizations and agencies that publish HIV/AIDS statistics and includes links to their Web sites to help individuals find the data quickly. More

  Next Steps
  You can find read the statistics resource sheet on HIV/AIDS by visiting http://www.niaid.nih.gov/Factsheets/aidsstat.htm.

Infectious Diseases

• Updated Overview of Lyme Disease Research Efforts Available
  Format: Fact Sheet
  Institute: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)

  Lyme disease is caused by small deer ticks infected with Borrelia burgdorferi. Cases of Lyme disease have been reported in all areas of the United States, and in large areas of Asia and Europe. The disease is difficult to diagnose and can potentially lead to chronic health problems. In addition to the typical rash of Lyme disease, arthritis, nervous system problems, and various other symptoms may develop.
  
  The updated fact sheet, NIAID Lyme Disease Research Efforts, provides an overview of the research efforts supported by NIAID and collaborations with other NIH institutes and centers. More

  Next Steps
  You can learn about Lyme disease by visiting http://www.niaid.nih.gov/research/lyme.htm.

• New Fact Sheet About Dengue Fever
  Format: Fact Sheet
  Institute: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)

  Dengue fever is an infectious disease caused by any of four related dengue viruses that are carried by mosquitoes. An epidemic in Hawaii in 2001 is a reminder that many states in the United States could experience dengue fever outbreaks because they harbor the particular species of mosquitoes that transmit it.
  
  NIAID’s updated dengue fever fact sheet describes the symptoms, treatment, and prevention of this emerging infectious disease. More

  Next Steps
  You can access the dengue fever fact sheet by visiting http://www.niaid.nih.gov/factsheets/dengue.htm.

Injuries and Wounds

• Distinguish Strains from Sprains
  Format: Fact Sheet
  Institute: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)

  For many of us, summer means a sudden start of athletic activities, and the pains and minor injuries that come along with it. But you may wish to prepare by learning the difference between a sprain and a strain, so that you can seek appropriate treatment.
  
  A sprain is an injury to a ligament that gets stretched or torn. Many things can cause a sprain. Falling, twisting, or getting hit can force a joint out of its normal position. This can cause ligaments around the joint to stretch or tear. Sprains can occur if people fall and land on an arm or on the side of their foot, or if they twist a knee. A strain is caused by twisting or pulling a muscle or tendon. Strains can happen suddenly or develop over days or weeks. A sudden, acute strain can be caused by a recent injury, lifting heavy objects the wrong way, or overstressing the muscles. Chronic strains are usually caused by moving the muscles and tendons the same way over and over.
  
  What Are Sprains and Strains? is one of a new series of “easy-to-read” fact sheets launched by NIAMS. Known as the “Fast Facts” series, these fact sheets use everyday language to describe a wide variety of problems affecting bone, muscle, joints, and skin. They include basic information about each condition as well as information on how to minimize symptoms, what treatment options are available, and details about current NIAMS research on each subject.

  Next Steps
  You can view the fact sheet on sprains and strains by visiting http://www.niams.nih.gov/hi/topics/strain_sprain/ffstrain_sprain.htm.

Seniors' Health

• Smoking, Calcium Supplements, and Osteoporosis
  Format: Fact Sheet
  Institute: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)

  Taking care of your bones is an important part of staying healthy. Those who smoke, or who have insufficient calcium in their diet, are at increased risk of osteoporosis and other problems. Women have to be particularly careful for two reasons: They have less bone tissue to begin with, and they lose bone faster than men because of the changes that happen with menopause.
  
  NIAMS has added two fact sheets to its osteoporosis and bone health series. Smoking and Bone Health describes the mounting evidence that smoking increases the risk of having a fracture. Also, significant bone loss has been found in older women and men who smoke, and smokers who fracture can take longer to heal than nonsmokers and might experience more complications during the healing process.
  
  A second fact sheet, Calcium Supplements: What to Look for, points out that getting enough calcium is important because the human body cannot make it. The body loses calcium every day through the skin, nails, hair, and sweat, as well as through urine and feces. This lost calcium must be replaced daily through the diet. Otherwise, the body takes calcium out of the bones to perform other necessary functions. This makes the bones weaker and more likely to break over time. More

  Next Steps
  You can view these fact sheets online and in pdf format. The fact sheet on smoking and bone health is found at http://www.niams.nih.gov/bone/hi/bone_smoking.htm. The fact sheet about calcium supplements can be found by visiting http://www.niams.nih.gov/bone/hi/calcium_supp.htm.