Last Updated: 24th July, 2022
Osteoporosis is a critical issue in men that is often ignored. Even though in men the absolute risk of hip fracture is lesser than in females, following a massive hip fracture, men are twice as probable to die. Bone mineral density measurement with a T-score of − 2.5 or less indicates osteoporosis.
The American College of Physicians proposes starting regular risk assessment of osteoporosis of men before age 65 and conducting dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry of men at enhanced risk of osteoporosis who seem to be candidates for medical therapy. For secondary causes of bone loss, all men diagnosed with osteoporosis should be assessed.
The conclusion of osteoporosis treatment should always be based on clinical assessments, diagnostic work-up, fracture risk assessments, and bone mineral density measurements.
The Misconception
Most of the people believe that osteoporosis is a disease of women only. Also, many believe that it is a disease of the elderly.
The Fact
- Osteoporosis impacts men as well as women.
- Osteoporosis at every age can happen.
- Women and men equally begin to lose bone mass in their mid-30s, after menopause women have a faster bone loss.
What Is Osteoporosis?
The bone is made up of minerals and tissues. There is a deficiency of minerals as well as tissue in osteoporosis. Osteoporosis erode the bone and leads to prevalent bone fractures (cracks).
Osteoporosis have been named a “silent disease” as a result of it progresses while not symptoms until a fracture happens. It develops less usually in men than in women as a result of men have larger skeletons, their bone loss starts later and progresses a lot of slow, and that they don’t have any amount of speedy hormonal modification and bone loss.
However, within the past few years, the matter of osteoporosis in men has been recognized as a very important public health issue, significantly in light of estimates that the number of men higher than the age of 70 can still increase as lifespan continues to rise. It is vital to take a nutrient-rich diet that helps to build and maintaining healthy bones for optimal bone health.
A few causes of osteoporosis in men:
- Glucocorticoid medications.
- Other immunosuppressive drugs.
- Hypogonadism (low testosterone levels).
- Excessive alcohol consumption.
- Smoking.
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary condition as well as asthma.
- Cystic fibrosis.
- Gastrointestinal disease.
- Hypercalciuria.
- Anticonvulsant medications.
- Thyrotoxicosis.
- Hyperparathyroidism.
- Immobilization.
- Osteogenesis imperfecta.
- Homocystinuria.
- Neoplastic disease.
- Ankylosing spondylitis and rheumatoid arthritis.
- Systemic mastocytosis.
What Are The Risk Factors In Men?
While the exact cause is not known, here are the risk factors:
- Age: Although it can occur at any age, the risk increases with advancing age.
- Medicines: Certain medications (heparin, anti-seizure medications, cancer medications and long-term use of oral steroids) increase risk of osteoporosis.
- Hypogonadism: This is indeed a disease that gets very low concentrations of testosterone, the male sex hormone. This may be hereditary or medicinal induced.
- A Sedentary Life: If you don’t work them, you may end up losing them. In the context of bones, this holds excellent reality.
- Smoking and Alcohol Consumption increases the risk of osteoporosis.
- Calcium and Vitamin D Deficiency
- Diabetes
Are There Any Symptoms?
- There are usually no symptoms in the early stages.
- When bones are fragile, symptoms typically involve: a backache, overtime loss of height, stooped posture, readily occurring bone fracture.
- Spine, shoulder, wrist and hips are symptoms of most prevalent fracture locations.
How Is Osteoporosis Detected?
Osteoporosis are detected by:
DEXA: Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scan of bone mineral density (X-ray).
Blood Tests: serum Vitamin D, calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase and testosterone levels.
How Can Osteoporosis Be Prevented?
- The best defense against osteoporosis is building strong bones (bone density).
- Every adult needs on a pretty regular basis 1000 – 1200 mg of calcium.
- Motivate kids to drink milk and play well in the sun to guarantee sufficient synthesis and work out to acquire calcium and vitamin D naturally.
- Take calcium and protein-rich diet and as well as calcium supplements.
- Devote 10-15 minutes each day in the sun to enable the body to produce the vitamin D.
- In eggs, milk and oily fish, vitamin D is adequately available.
- Regular exercise (minimum 30 minutes) to tighten bones. Even osteoporosis patients may benefit from regular yoga practice. Strength training exercises help in increasing bone mass.
- Go to the stairs and avoid elevators and escalators (as much as possible) to enhance bone and increase bone mass.
- Give Up Smoking, And Limit Drinking.
- Attend To Injuries With Urgency.
All men must be advised on measures of lifestyle, such as ceasing of smoking and restricting the consumption of alcohol towards less than two shots a day. Weight-bearing exercise can increase BMD in older men It also is important to implement fall prevention strategies (e.g., gait training), minimize the use of psychotropic medications and eliminate environmental hazards.
So make absolutely sure you practice regular exercise, devote time in the sun, and can have a calcium and protein-rich diet to enhance your bones and avoid osteoporosis. Stay on the field, live a happy life.
