Men Also Affected By Osteoporosis

Are you or your father at risk of osteoporosis? Today, 2 million American men have osteoporosis, and another 12 million are at risk. Yet, despite the large number of men affected, osteoporosis in men remains under-diagnosed and underreported. So, this Father’s Day help your dad learn more about his risks of osteoporosis so that he can be healthy for years to come!

During youth, bones grow in length and density. During the teen years, maximum height is reached, but bones continue to grow denser until about age 30 when peak bone mass is attained. After that point, bones slowly start to lose density or strength. Throughout life, bone density is affected by heredity, diet, sex hormones, physical activity, lifestyle choices and the use of certain medications. Men have larger, stronger bones than women which explains, in part, why osteoporosis affects fewer men than women. Bone loss increases with age and heredity, and white males have the greatest risk for osteoporosis. However, men from all ethnic groups develop this disease.

The following risk factors are associated with osteoporosis in men:

• Prolonged exposure to certain medications, such as steroids used to treat asthma or arthritis, anticonvulsants, certain cancer treatments & aluminum-containing antacids.
• Chronic disease that affects the kidneys, lungs, stomach & intestines and alters hormone levels.
• Undiagnosed low levels of the sex hormone testosterone.
• Lifestyle habits such as smoking, excessive alcohol use, low calcium intake and lack of exercise are additional risk factors.

If there is a loss of height, change in posture or sudden back pain, it is important to inform your doctor. A bone mineral density test can be conducted to diagnose osteoporosis. Experts agree that all persons should take the following steps to preserve bone health.

• Recognize & treat any underlying medical conditions that affect bone health. Identify & evaluate the use of medications that are known to cause bone loss.
• Change unhealthy habits, such as smoking, excessive alcohol intake, & inactivity.
• Be sure to get enough calcium each day to keep bones healthy.  Men under age 50 need 1,000 mg of calcium daily, and men age 50 & over need 1,200 mg of calcium daily.
• Make sure to get adequate vitamin D.  Men under age 50 need 400-800 IU of vitamin D daily, and men age 50 & over need 800-1,000 IU of vitamin D daily. 
• Engage in a regular regimen of weight-bearing exercises where bone & muscles work against gravity. This includes walking, jogging, racquet sports, stair climbing & team sports. Also, lifting weights or using resistance machines appears to help preserve bone density. Exercise also improves balance & muscle tone and imparts a sense of well-being. If you’ve already been diagnosed with osteoporosis, any exercise program should be evaluated for safety by your doctor before you begin. Twisting motions & impact activities may need to be curtailed depending on the severity of your condition.
• Check with your physician about medications that can slow or stop bone loss.