Osteoporosis in Men

Osteoporosis a DIsease Where Bone Becomes Porous

Osteoporosis is a disease of the bones that is often thought of as a women's disease. Although osteoporosis is more common in women than in men the 2004 Surgeon General’s Report on Bone Health and Osteoporosis has said that by 2020 half of all Americans over 50 years old will have weak bones unless changes are made to diet and lifestyle.

Osteoporosis is a condition where bone becomes increasingly porous because mineral loss such as calcium. The skeleton becomes brittle and bones fracture easier. Osteoporosis is suspected when fractures occur with no or minimal trauma Each year 1.5 million older Americans suffer fractures because their bones have become weak. It has been estimated that over $18 billion is spent each year treating broken bones caused by osteoporosis.

Reasons Why Osteoporosis Less Common in Males
There are a number of reasons why men are less prone to osteoporosis:

Men tend to build stronger bones and larger skeletons.

Bone loss occurs later in life and is progresses slower in men. Bone loss in women is more rapid and occurs as a result of dramatic declines of the hormone estrogen in the menopause.

The National Osteoporosis Foundation reports that a Caucasian man aged 60 years and over has a 25% chance of sustaining a fracture because of osteoporosis

Causes of Osteoporosis in Men
For under 50% of men with osteoporosis there is no obvious cause. For the remainder there can be a number of causes of osteoporosis in men. These include:

Falling levels of testosterone and estrogen

An diet low in minerals such as calcium, Anorexia, An inability to absorb calcium because of diseases such as celiac disease, Crohn's disease

African Americans have an increased incidence of osteoporosis

Low vitamin D levels

Smoking

Changes in bone metabolism as we age can contribute to bone loss

Doing decreasingly amounts of exercise and immobility due to illness[li/]

Diseases such as secondary hyperthyroidism where there are excessive levels of parathyroid hormone. Hyperthyroidism caused by an over-active thyroid gland, hypogonadism resulting in low production of testosterone

Long term steroid therapies

Alcohol abuse

Men with a close family history of osteoporosis have an increased risk of breaking bones and often have lower than expected bone mineral density

Treatment of Osteoporosis
Treatment of osteoporosis will depend on the cause. A qualified physician will be able to identify a cause if there is one and treat accordingly.

Young men need an intake of calcium of 1,000 mg a day, men over 65 years 1,200 to 1,500 mg per day. Vitamin D intake between 400 to 800 IU a day.

Video information About Osteoporosis

Video Link Osteoporosis in Men: More Common Than You Thought

Video link for Osteoporosis in African Americans

Article Sources Include: National Osteoporosis Foundation, 2004 The 2004 Surgeon General’s Report on Bone Health and Osteoporosis