Can Men Get Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis occurs when the body loses the ability to form enough neurons. During a healthy bone remodeling, osteoclast eat away the bone tissue and osteoblasts refill the bone with new ones. Body uses calcium and phosphate to produce strong bones during youth which helps to continue this process. When the calcium intake is not sufficient or if the body does not absorb enough calcium from the food, bone production and bone tissues may suffer. The bones become less strong and more prone to fractures. In Fact in people with osteoporosis, the bone fracture can often occur with little stress. Osteoporosis occurs gradually with aging and is more commonly found in women.

Osteoporosis though prevalent in women, can not be ignored in men either. A study at
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics, shows that osteoporosis is also posing a threat to millions of men. It further tells that after the age of 50, over 5 percent of men suffer from hip fracture and over 4 percent from vertebral fracture just because of osteoporosis.

According to another independent study, in just one year, 1990 about 30% of the 1.7 million hip fractures worldwide occurred in men. By 2025, the number of hip fractures in men will be the same as in women. The hip fracture causes 3% more complications and chances of death in men than in women.

The right time to treat osteoporosis in men is before it has caused significant damage to the bones. Complete medical history along with blood tests, urine tests and X-rays is all needed to detect presence of osteoporosis in men. The doctor may also order a bone mineral density test which is essential to determine your risk of fracture and determine your treatment. The DXA test is widely used for detection of osteoporosis in men. This test is painless and is similar to an X-ray test but with less exposure to the radiation.

The commonly linked risk factors with osteoporosis in men are presence of chronic diseases, regular use of certain medication, low levels of sex hormone, unhealthy life style habits such as smoking and excessive use of alcohol, old age and race. Studies have shown that Caucasian men appear to be at particularly high risk.

The truth is that it is very easy to avoid male Osteoporosis by these simple tests.  All of us know that fast food is really bad for health.  Simply avoid it. Health foods are not sissy or awful tasting.  Avoid the junk food and eat calcium rich meals.  Dairy is rich in calcium.  So eat cheese, eggs and drink milk.

Exercise regularly.  You do not have to start pumping iron from day one.  A simple half an hour walk is good.  You could start gardening.  This will strengthen the bones and help you avoid male osteoporosis.

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