Despite the fact that 2 million American men have osteoporosis and another 12 million are at risk for the disease, the condition remains relatively underdiagnosed and underreported in men. All individuals, both men and women, reach their peak bone mass density between the ages of 25 and 35. Once an individual reaches 35 they begin to lose bone and tissue at a greater rate than they produce it. This is actually a normal occurrence. (1)
When peak bone mass density is a high number an individual may never experience the difficulties of osteoporosis, or require treatment. Individuals with a high peak bone mass density may not require preventative medications to reduce the risk of low impact fractures, because they started out with a higher bone mass density.
Most diagnoses of osteoporosis are made in postmenopausal women. However, there are risk factors that are associated with osteoporosis in men that include prolonged exposure to specific types of medication such as steroids, cancer treatments and aluminum containing medications. Chronic diseases that affect the kidneys, lungs, stomach and intestines also alters hormonal levels which impacts the rate at which bone is laid down. Men who have undiagnosed low levels of testosterone can also be at higher risk for osteoporosis.
Most types of osteoporosis in women are primary, which means that the condition occurs because of the rate of bone loss which is normal. Secondary osteoporosis is more common in men. Secondary osteoporosis is caused by bone loss as a result of another underlying medical condition or medications. Most commonly issues with gastrointestinal disease, hypercalcemia, anticonvulsant medications, excessive alcohol consumption, immunosuppressive drugs, glucocorticoid medications, smoking, asthma, immobilization and cancer are the cause of secondary osteoporosis in men. (2)
Lifestyle habits that include smoking, excessive alcohol use, low calcium intake and in adequate weight-bearing physical exercise will place an individual male at a higher rate of experiencing osteoporosis. (3)
While women who are postmenopausal may routinely receive a screening x-ray to determine if they have the early stages of osteoporosis, the diagnoses in men is often overlooked. Unfortunately, the diagnoses in men is not often made until there is a noticeable loss in height, change in posture or sudden back pain which may indicate fractures as a result of osteoporosis.
There are specific steps that men can take to preserve their bone health. Recognition and treatment of any underlying medical conditions that are known to affect the health of the bone should be identified and evaluated. Medications which may cause problems with bone loss should be weighed against the benefit of using them at the present time.
Men should also be counseled to change unhealthy lifestyle habits such as smoking, excessive alcohol and inactivity. Men under the age of 50 need at least 1000 mg of calcium and over the age of 50 should receive 1200 mg of calcium per day. However calcium without the prerequisite vitamin C, vitamin K2 and magnesium will only be flushed out of the body through the kidneys.
All of these vitamins and minerals are incredibly important in maintaining the health of the bony microstructure for men. It is also important to receive these vitamins and minerals in their most bioavailable form, which means eating lots of raw fruits and vegetables every day.
Men should also engage in regular weight bearing exercise regimens where muscles and bones work against gravity. These exercises can include weightlifting, jogging, racquet sports, stair climbing and team sports. Although walking and rowing are excellent cardiovascular activities, they do not provide the necessary stressors on the spine and hip is to encourage bone growth.
Exercise will not only improve bone growth but also balance, muscle tone and impart a sense of well being that goes a long way towards keeping a man out of a nursing home for treatment of frailty.
Diagnosis of the disease in men is much the same as it is in women except that it may not be considered until a man presents with fractures or a bone fracture in the peripheral area. Screening using peripheral DEXA can be done at pharmacies on the finger or heel. If the screening indicates that the man is at higher risk for osteoporosis the physician will recommend a central DEXA which evaluates the hip and spine.
Men can avoid being diagnosed with osteoporosis by avoiding smoking, reducing their alcohol intake, increasing the amount of weight-bearing physical exercise they receive, ensuring a daily calcium, vitamin D, vitamin K2 and magnesium intake as well as recognizing any underlying medical conditions that can affect bone health in seeking treatment.
http://health.net.au/health-living/ Osteoporosis Risk Factors
http://health.net.au/health-living/ Osteoporosis in Men: Suspect Secondary Disease First
http://health.net.au/health-living/ Osteoporosis in Men