It's not that women only need to worry about aging and age-related conditions. If easy bone fractures cause worries in a menopausal woman's mind, then the same can also make a man to experience a deepening of his worry lines. Osteoporosis is not a woman-specific term. The fact is that menopausal women are at a greater risk of experiencing bone density loss, but this does not mean that men are totally shielded. Improper diet, metabolic changes, aging, diseases and family history can cause osteoporosis in men. So you can now see, it's not an "all healthy" or "always strong" picture in a man's life.
What is Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis (or porous bone) is a disease that weakens the skeleton and breaks the bones. It is also referred to as a "silent" disease which progresses without any symptom until a fracture occurs some day. Fractures have greater tendencies to occur in the hips, vertebral column, ribs and wrists.
Causes of Osteoporosis in Men
Osteoporosis is more commonly diagnosed in women than in men. The reason is that, men have larger skeletons; their bone loss starts later and progresses more slowly. Further, they do not face a period of rapid hormonal change and bone loss. However, in the past few years the problem of osteoporosis in men is rapidly increasing. Researchers supported by the National Institutes of Health are studying the degree of risk of fracture in men with regards to factors like bone mass and structure, biochemistry, lifestyle and tendency to fall. Some of the causes of osteoporosis in men include:
- Change in bone metabolism due to aging.
- Estrogen regulates bone metabolism in men as well as women. Experts have found that declining estrogen levels can lead to osteoporosis in aging men just as in postmenopausal women. In a study researchers have found that men need estradiol, the primary form of estrogen and this led them to direct their attention towards male osteoporosis.
- Diet low in minerals such as calcium.
- Inability to absorb calcium due to some diseases like celiac disease and Crohn's disease.
- Excessive alcohol consumption and smoking.
- Immobilization
- Long term steroidal therapies - glucocorticoid and other immunosuppressive medications can cause osteoporosis in men. These drugs have a direct effect on bones. They reduce the intestinal absorption of calcium and decrease the testosterone levels as well.
- Diseases such as hypogonadism (low levels of sex hormones) can contribute to osteoporosis in men.
- Gastrointestinal disorders may impair the absorption of several nutrients like amino acids, calcium, magnesium, phosphorous and vitamins D and K, which are important for bone health.
- Men with family history of osteoporosis may be more susceptible to it.
The Diagnosis of Osteoporosis in Men
It can be diagnosed by using "Bone mineral density" (BMD) test to measure the solidness and mass especially in the hip, spine and the wrist region. It is a painless, noninvasive and a safe test. Along with this test, doctors also consider complete medical history, x-rays, urine and blood tests before coming to a conclusion.
The Treatment
The treatment or rather the management plan includes well balanced diet and exercise and lifestyle guidelines to prevent further bone loss. Several medications are also used to treat this problem. These are the guidelines in the following areas:
Nutrition
- Calcium: It is important for bone growth, bone healing and bone strengthening.
- Vitamin D: It reduces fractures in elderly people. It helps in the absorption of calcium.
Exercise
Multiple studies have shown that aerobics, weight bearing and resistance exercises can all help to maintain or increase the bone mass density.
Medicines
- Antiresorptive Agents: These drugs reduce bone resorption. Some examples include Bisphosphonates (sodium alendronate, risedronate and zoledronic acid), estrogen replacement therapy, raloxifene and calcitonin.
- Bone Anabolic Agents: These agents build bones. Examples include Teriparatide, calcium salts and sodium fluoride.
- Other Agents: RANKL inhibitors and Strontium ranelate are other medications used to treat the condition.
Prevention of Osteoporosis
Men can prevent osteoporosis by following these guidelines:
- Ensuring daily calcium intake. Users need to find out the appropriate dosage for their age from their physicians.
- Avoid smoking and drinking.
- Increasing the level of physical activity. And this can be effected by starting an exercise regime.
- Ensuring an adequate intake of vitamin D. It is found in fortified dairy products, egg yolks, saltwater fish and liver. However, sunlight remains as the best source. Getting drenched in the early morning sunlight for about 10 minutes will also add to bone health apart from acting as a mood lifter.
- Recognizing and seeking treatment for any underlying medical conditions that may affect bone health.
- Consuming a well balanced diet.
People, men and women alike, fear aging. But they tend to pay more attention to their biological years or the "numbers". They may not mind manipulating a truth while reducing 5 years from their actual age in a social get-together. But what they will not realize is that their gait and "rusty" joints are adding 10 more years to their original age. It's not about hiding your age or looking young, but about staying healthy and standing upright with confidence and stamina.
