Osteoporosis is a health issue for men too

Most people are aware that hip and spine fractures are some of the most common disabling injuries of the elderly and that addressing osteoporosis is an important issue of healthy living. However many men are under the mistaken belief that age-related bone loss is a women's issue and do not consider them at risk as well. While osteoporosis is a critical health care concern for women, one-in-four men will have an osteoporosis-related fracture in their lifetime (the comparative figure for women is one-in-two). It goes without saying that a hip fracture late in life can be catastrophic, often ending in permanent disability or death. From the National Osteoporosis Foundation(NOF):

Men can experience a marked loss of bone as they age, and this decline in bone mass is an important contributor to the development of osteoporosis. There are several reasons for this loss of bone. Declining testosterone levels may cause bone loss that is similar to the bone loss that occurs in women at the time of menopause. In addition, estrogen may play a critical role in bone health in men. Changes in estrogen levels with age may be as important, if not more important, as those changes in testosterone. Moreover, the amount of time devoted to exercising generally declines with age, and dietary calcium intake, as well as the ability to absorb calcium, tends to fall. Finally, there may be age-related changes in the basic metabolic activity in bone that contribute to bone loss. The risk of fracture posed by age-related bone loss is increased considerably by a tendency for the elderly to fall more often.

While all men face the prospect of osteoporosis, research has identified several risk factors including lifestyle behaviors. According to the NOF, approximately half of male cases will be the result of a disorder or condition that can produce bone loss, including "hypogonadism (low production of the male sex hormone testosterone), hyperparathyroidism, intestinal disorders, malignancies, steroid therapy (e.g., chronic prednisone treatment), and immobilization." Lifestyle risk factors include smoking, alcohol abuse, and chronic inactivity.

Certain drugs can also increase the risk of osteoporosis including some hormone-blocking drugs used to treat prostate cancer, such as Lupron. So can long-term steroid treatment for diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and asthma.

Prevention strategies include cessation of smoking, maintaining a balanced diet (paying particular attention to calcium and vitamin D intake) and having an appropriate exercise program (including resistance training).

The most important first step for men is to understand that they are not immune to this disabling disease and to include prevention strategies as early into their lives as possible. Middle age is the perfect time to take a step back and modify behaviors to reduce the chance of this becoming a problem later in life.