There’s a salt epidemic going on – according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the average American ingests up to double the recommended sodium intake every day. Not only is this bad news for those with high blood pressure, diabetes or kidney disease, but one local bone expert points out that too much salt can also exacerbate the most common hand issue Americans face: arthritis.

Currently, approximately twenty percent of the U.S. population suffers from arthritis – that’s more than 52 million people. Dr. Mark Ciaglia, the preeminent hand surgeon and owner of Woodlands Center for Special Surgery, has noted a trend in arthritis hitting younger age groups, thanks in large part to repetitive motion injuries caused by activities such as video gaming or intense school-level sports.

“People, depending on their health, should take in between 1500 to 2,300 milligrams of sodium per day; yet the average person eats about 3,400,” said Ciaglia. He points out a couple of reasons why this can lead to arthritis and other hand issues.

“Too much salt can reduce the amount of calcium in your bones, which increases the risk of fractures, arthritis and osteoporosis,” he said. “Also, people already suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and taking medication for it may find their pain amplified, as corticosteroids – which are commonly used to treat rheumatoid arthritis – cause the body to retain sodium intake.”

Ciaglia encourages his patients to lessen the salt content in their diet by being aware of the sodium content in prepackaged and restaurant foods, and to sample alternate forms of seasoning when cooking at home. Additionally, he knows that early detection of arthritis can significantly lessen its impact on the patient.

“So, we’re hosting free hand x-rays to check for arthritis at our office from now through June 17,” he said. Any member of the public who makes a reservation can come to the center located at 17450 St. Luke’s Way, Suite 390, in The Woodlands to receive a free digital x-ray exam on their hands. The procedure uses the latest technology that provides nearly instantaneous results.

Woodlands Center for Special Surgery provides a full range of procedures and services including minimally invasive carpal tunnel release, fracture care, joint reconstructions and all pediatric hand issues. Dr. Ciaglia also specializes in treating complex conditions including bone disorders, fractures, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

To make your reservation for your free hand x-ray, please call 936-242-1437; for more information, visit www.wcfspecialsurgery.com. 

Inviting all interested boys ages 7 - 13 to audition; Spring Concert May 22nd

THE WOODLANDS, TX (May 9, 2016) – The Woodlands Boys Choir is completing its inaugural season with three performances: private concerts at The Forum at The Woodlands and The Village at the Woodlands Waterway, and their Spring Concert, open to the public, at HopePointe Anglican Church, 3333 South Panther Creek Drive in The Woodlands. The public concert will be held on Sunday, May 22, at 4:00 p.m., followed by a reception. A free-will offering will be taken to help provide scholarships for members needing financial assistance and support for the work of the choir.

The concerts will include songs about the value of music in our lives, spirituals, sacred songs and songs just for fun which include choreography.

Through the month of May, the Woodlands Boys Choir is holding open auditions for boys ages 7 - 13 for the 2016-17 season, which begins in the fall. Auditions are informal and do not require the boys to prepare. Auditions can be requested through the website at www.woodlandsboyschoir.org.

Besides the Concert Choir, the organization is beginning a new program in the fall, BOYchoir FUNdamentals for boys in grades 2 - 4. This group is non-audition and serves as a preparatory choir to the Concert Choir. The program will focus on learning to sing with a well-supported, natural sound, learning to read notes, rhythms and musical patterns in solfège, playing musical games and moving to music, all the while having creative enjoyment with music.

In addition to the Concert Choir and BOYchoir FUNdamentals, all boys are invited to participate in Summer Singing Camp the first three Thursday afternoons in August. Additional details can be found on the choir’s website.

The vision of the Woodlands Boys Choir is to bring together talented boys reflecting the cultural diversity of the Montgomery/North Harris County areas. “For boys who enjoy music, a boys’ choir can provide an extraordinary foundation for life long musical enjoyment, faith, confidence and character, preparing them for excellence in their chosen fields, whether musical or not,” said Sherryl Pond, Director of The Woodlands Boys Choir. “The choral education and environment in the tradition of boys’ choirs instills the skills of self-discipline, expectation of excellence, self-motivation, and accomplishment.”

Membership in the Woodlands Boys Choir is open to boys ages 7 - 13 of all cultures and faiths. Tuition is charged for music and expenses; scholarships are available. For more information or to schedule a brief audition (no preparation required), visit the website at www.woodlandsboyschoir.org, or contact Sherryl S. Pond, Director, at (401) 855-3222 or sherryl@hopepointe.org.