Male Osteoporosis
Although women make up
80 percent of osteoporosis sufferers, there is still that other
20 percent to consider. Male osteoporosis is not common since a
man’s bone density is usually higher than a woman’s
and women tend to live longer. But, it can happen.
Men naturally lose bone mass
as they grow older but male osteoporosis usually develops if the
person smokes, does not do enough strength exercises, takes certain
medications, drinks alcohol often and has low hormone levels. This
is a big difference from osteoporosis in women since they usually
get it after menopause.
Still, male osteoporosis can
be prevented if enough calcium, vitamin D and phosphorus are ingested;
strength building exercises like jogging and weight lifting are
done regularly; and if alcohol and smoking consumption is eliminated
or significantly reduced.
Male osteoporosis affects races differently:
- Three percent of Hispanic men over 50 have
osteoporosis
- Seven percent of white and Asian men aged
50 and older have the disease
- Four percent of black men aged 50 and older
have osteoporosis
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