Osteoporosis Awareness: new guidelines focus on men at risk
Although women are routinely screened for osteoporosis starting at around age 50, physicians typically do not worry about the bone health of their male patients. They should.
One in six men will have osteoporosis by age 65 and the vast majority will go undiagnosed and, therefore, untreated--until their bones are so brittle that they may break during everyday activites. By that time, it's usually too late to get much benefit from bone-preserving therapies that can slow bone loss and prevent injury and disability. Consider this: men who break a hip are twice as likely to die within one year.
New guidelines released this month by the American College of Physicians call for osteoporosis screening for men, beginning at age 65 or earlier, if men are at increased risk. Things that increase risk include:
- taking anti-androgenic drugs (used to treat prostate cancer)
- low body weight
- physical inactivity
- smoking
- low calcium and vitamin D status
May is Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month: Are you doing enough to protect yourself from osteoporosis?
 older posts |
home | newer posts  |
| How does cooking affect vitamin K content? | | Nutrition Data Blog | | If I limit saturated fats, do I need to worry about total fat? |
Posted by: Tom | May 11, 2008 6:27:30 PM
There can be lots of reasons for osteoporosis in men. I was diagnosed at age 60, in spite of being very active physically. Calcium, vitamin D, etc were all perfect. The trouble turned out to be low testosterone (but still in the very wide range considered normal).
Posted by: angela | May 11, 2008 5:51:19 PM
..also, we're looking into hyperparathyroidism for his aches. His calcium is high. His sister had an adenoma a few years ago. www.parathyroid.com is helpful.
Posted by: angela | May 11, 2008 5:47:59 PM
Glad you mentioned this. I'm celiac, and even for me it's a hassle to get fat soluble vitamins checked (though, D is not one). I had to practically beg my husband to get the D test recently, and he relented - in the office while the tech was drawing blood! He's a weightlifter, who runs a lot and has big bones - noone would guess his D was LOW at 26! I thought how his bones hurt, esp in the morning - might be RA, not yet diagnosed. He also has asthma, high bp, and gout. I know D will help. Thanks for all your good work.
Posted by: mountainbike | May 11, 2008 11:23:06 AM
Great information about health. I am a smoker. I need to leave it. This for your advice.
