Osteoporosis is often known to be a disease that affects women, but new studies show that one in four men over the age of 50 will break a bone because of the disease. In addition, men are less likely to receive osteoporosis screening and treatment following a bone fracture and therefore at increased risk for future bone breaks.
A study in the November 5th issue of the Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery (JBJS) found that men were three times less likely than women to undergo bone mass density (BMD) testing following a broken wrist (distal radius fracture) and seven times less likely to begin treatment for osteoporosis.
Many women have accelerated bone loss around menopause. Thereafter, bone loss continues at the same rate in both men and women. In general, the bone strength of an average 70-year-old woman is equal to that of an 80-year-old man. In other words, men develop osteoporosis but 10 years later.
Risk factors for osteoporosis in both sexes include:
– A long history of smoking
– Taking certain drugs such as corticosteroids, anticonvulsants, and long-term use of omeprazole and some anticancer drugs
– Excessive alcohol and caffeine consumption
– Sedentary lifestyle
– Diet low in calcium
– Vitamin D deficiency
– Osteoporosis affects all races and ethnicities, but those of white or of Asian or Latino descent, have a higher risk
– Men and women who have small body frames tend to have a higher risk because they may have less bone mass to draw from as they age
– Strong family history of osteoporosis and fracture
– Men with low testosterone levels
Virtually every disease that afflicts us as we grow older can be minimized by living a healthy life, which includes consuming the right foods, vitamins and minerals and getting the right amount of exercise.
To find out more about osteoporosis, and how to detect, treat and prevent bone loss, call the Southern California Center For Anti Aging today at 424-247-4962.
