Osteoporosis in Men

Many think that osteoporosis is a women’s disease, and while this is a more likely scenario, however, many men are at risk as well. This is because as our population increases in age, even more men will develop osteoporosis. Some men, especially those aged 65 and older develop osteoporosis which is a trend that has increased in recent years due to people having much longer lifespans.

Fractures that occur after the age of 50 can be an important indicator that you may have osteoporosis. However, men are less likely to be assessed for osteoporosis after a fracture than women, they are also less likely to get osteoporosis treatment. When you have osteoporosis it often does not take much to cause a fracture, a strong sneeze or cough, a minor fall, or just bumping into furniture are some examples. Men with osteoporosis are more likely to have a fracture much later in their life making it much more difficult to recover from. In fact, men usually have more complications and are likely to die as a result of breaking their hip than women.

So, if you break a bone in an innocuous accident don’t assume that you are clumsy, ask if it could be osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis – What is it?

Osteoporosis is a bone disease that occurs when both bone mass and bone mineral density decreases. Bone mass is lost when there is an imbalance between bone breakdown and bone formation, this imbalance occurs with aging and other conditions. Bone mass typically peaks in your early 20s, with peak bone mass being generally higher in men than in women. Although, both men and women lose bone mass with age, bone loss is usually slower in men in part because of the oestrogen that women lose after menopause.

This change in bone structure quality can lead to an overall decrease in bone strength that can increase your risk of a fracture. A fracture is most likely to occur in the vertebral bones of the spine, the hip, and the wrist carpals.

Osteoporosis – Risk Factors in Men?

Both men and women have the same risk factors that can cause bone loss, including:

• Low levels of testosterone and oestrogen hormones
• Low vitamin D levels
• Aged 70 or older
• Weak muscles
• Smoking, drinking too much alcohol
• Chronic disease, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes
• Hyperparathyroidism
• Crohn’s, ulcerative colitis, celiac
• Parkinson’s
• Certain medications, chemotherapy drugs, methotrexate, heparin, proton pump inhibitors, cortisone and prednisone to name a few.

Never stop medication that has been prescribed by your healthcare provider without discussing it with them first! 

How is bone density assessed?

The most common test used is called a DEXA, or dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry test. It uses X-rays to measure how much calcium and other minerals are in specific bone areas, primarily the hip and spine.

If you are aged over 50 or older, your bone mineral density test result will be a T-score. This is the difference between your bone mineral density and the average mineral density seen in a healthy young adult. A T-score less than -2.5 usually indicates osteoporosis.

How can you help prevent osteoporosis?

It is the same advice for both men and women.

• Exercise – do regular weight-bearing exercises that make you work against gravity while standing. Aim for 30 minutes at a time: walking, hiking, lifting weights (2-3x/pwk)
• Get enough vitamin D through sunlight and vitamin D-rich foods
• Proper nutrition which calcium-rich foods that can help promote and maintain strong, healthy bones
• Lifestyle changes, not smoking, and drinking alcohol in moderation
• Falls prevention to help prevent fractures, for example: taking measures at home to avoid the chances of tripping, balance exercises, find out if any medication you take could affect your balance and increase your risk of falling.

Osteoporosis can sneak up on you! You can’t feel your bones getting weaker and you may not know you have osteoporosis until you actually have a fracture. That is why prevention of osteoporosis in the first place is the best option.

At Karrinyup Wellness Centre you can always speak to our naturopaths or chiropractors for further advice on nutrition or exercises that can help bolster your bone health.