Osteoporosis in Men

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What is osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a disease that thins and weakens bones to the point where they may break easily. This disease often affects bones in the hip, spine, and wrist. Though it is most often thought of as a woman's disease, men also get osteoporosis.

How does it occur?

In healthy adults bones continue to grow, reaching their greatest strength around age 20 to 35. After that, a slow decline in bone strength over many years occurs.

The bones of young boys and teenagers who are not physically active and don't get enough calcium in their diet are probably not as strong as they would otherwise be. If bones do not become as strong as possible, there is less bone reserve, leaving you more likely to develop osteoporosis as you get older. In the US today, less than half of school-aged boys and male high schoolers get enough calcium in their diets.

In addition to aging, other causes of osteoporosis are:

• lifestyle habits such as
  • smoking
  • having more than 1 drink of alcohol a day
  • too little calcium in the diet
  • not enough weight-bearing exercise such as walking, dancing, or lifting weights
• long-term use of some medicines, such as steroids used to treat asthma or arthritis, anticonvulsants, aluminum-containing antacids, and cancer treatments
• chronic disease that affects the kidneys, lungs, stomach, intestines, or liver, or changes hormone levels (examples of such diseases are diabetes, hyperthyroidism, and congestive heart failure
• low levels of the male hormone testosterone
• long periods of bed rest during serious illness
• eating disorders or too much dieting.

You have a higher risk of osteoporosis if you have a family history of the disease.

What are the symptoms?

There are usually no symptoms until a bone breaks more easily than it ordinarily would. You may break a bone in your spine just by coughing or sneezing, for example. A simple slip and fall may fracture a wrist or hip.

How is it diagnosed?

Osteoporosis, if moderate to severe, can be seen on a regular X-ray. Ultrasound tests may also be used for diagnosis. Bone mineral density can be measured with a special test called a DEXA scan.

How is it treated?

Treatment does not cure osteoporosis, it but can slow down the loss of bone and rebuild some bone.

Treatment may include increasing the calcium your body gets, usually through diet and supplements. The recommended daily dose of calcium for men age 19 to 50 is 1,000 milligrams (mg) a day. Men over 50 should get 1,200 mg daily. Calcium is found naturally in foods such as milk, yogurt, and cheese. It can also be taken as a dietary supplement.

Vitamin D helps your body absorb and use calcium. The National Osteoporosis Foundation recommends the following daily dosages for adults:

• age less than 50 years old: 400 to 800 International Units (IU) of vitamin D daily
• age 50 years old or older: 800 to 1,000 IU of vitamin D daily.

Some medicines such as alendronate (Fosamax) and risedronate (Actonel) may be used to prevent and treat osteoporosis. You may be given testosterone if tests show your hormone level is low.

Weight-bearing exercise, such as walking, stair climbing, team sports, and weight lifting, helps keep your bones strong. Doing this kind of physical activity every day may help stop further weakening of your bones.

How long will the effects last?

The risk of a broken bone resulting from osteoporosis increases with age.

How can I take care of myself?

Follow the treatment recommended by your healthcare provider. In addition, you can:

• Stop smoking. Smokers may absorb less calcium from their diet.
• Drink no more than 2 ounces of hard liquor, two 12-oz servings of beer, or two 4-oz glasses of wine a day.
• Get regular weight-bearing exercise. Walking is especially good. Be sure to exercise your upper body also. Weight-bearing exercise helps prevent bone loss and strengthens muscles, which can help prevent falls. Ask your healthcare provider if there are any limits on your exercising.
• Eat a healthy diet that includes dairy products and plenty of fruits and vegetables.
• Take a daily calcium supplement and vitamin D supplement if your healthcare provider recommends it. You can get vitamin D by drinking milk, taking supplements, or spending time in sunlight.

You can reduce the risk of injury and broken bones if you:

• Avoid lifting heavy objects.
• Avoid unusually vigorous physical activity. Build your activity level gradually.
• Avoid antacids that contain aluminum hydroxide, such as Amphojel, Gaviscon, or Mylanta.
• Wear shoes that provide good support (such as running or walking shoes).
• Use support for walking, such as a cane, if you need it.
• Keep areas where you will be walking well lit and uncluttered. When you walk outside, avoid graveled areas or other uneven surfaces that could cause a fall.
• Avoid putting throw rugs on your floors at home.
• Be cautious about going outdoors when roads and sidewalks are icy.

If you are taking medicine to treat your osteoporosis, be sure to take it as prescribed by your healthcare provider. For example, alendronate must usually be taken with a full glass of water in the morning on an empty stomach. You must remain upright for at least a half hour after taking it.

How can I help prevent osteoporosis?

• If you are over age 55, be sure to keep getting regular weight-bearing exercise.
• Get enough calcium and vitamin D daily from foods you eat or dietary supplements.
• Don't smoke.
• Avoid drinking too much alcohol.

Developed by June Belt-Marchesi, RN, MSN, for RelayHealth.
Published by RelayHealth.
© 2009 RelayHealth and/or its affiliates. All Rights Reserved.