October 20th is marked as World Osteoporosis Day every year. It aims to spread awareness about silent bone diseases, their prevention and treatments. Even though men can get osteoporosis, even though women are more likely to do so. The false belief that osteoporosis is “a disease of women” overlooks the fact that many young men suffer from this disease. It is fairly common for men over 65 to have low levels of vitamin D. It has been estimated that this deficit contributes to 15% of cases of male osteoporosis.
Dr. Milind Tanwar, MS Orthopaedics, Fellowship in Arthroscopy and Sports Injury, says, “The theme for osteoporosis for the year 2022 is StepUpForBoneHealth, which signifies the importance of awareness regarding the prevalence and prevention of degenerative bone diseases. It is imperative for the masses to understand that most fractures leading to morbidity and mortality in the elderly population are preventable to a large extent. This would in turn decrease the burden on healthcare and improve the longevity of the human race. “
There can be a lot of reasons for male osteoporosis. But men are usually ignorant when it comes to their bones. Avoidance during the initial stage of osteoporosis can lead to unavoidable bone problems in the future. Let’s study more about it.
What is osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is the thinning of the bone, which makes bones porous and prone to fracture. Twelve million men are at risk and could be showing early signs of reduced bone density, called osteoporosis.
According to Dr Milind Tanwar, “Osteoporosis is often described as the lack of calcium in the bones. Most people in the age bracket of 60 years and above suffer from clinical or sub-clinical osteoporosis. The incidence of osteoporosis is about 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men over the age of 50 years. This is far more than it is thought to be and is an important factor leading to stress fractures due to insignificant injuries”.
He adds “Osteoporosis occurs when the components forming bone become lacking for several reasons. The bone is essentially made of a calcified scaffold of protein. It has minerals in the form of calcium hydroxy-appetite and other non-organic calcium. Its main function is to work as a dynamic cellular composition that keeps repairing itself with wear and tear that occurs with activities of daily living. Most of the patients who are suffering from osteoporosis is mainly because of:
Lack of intake
Lack of absorption
Lack of assimilation &
“Lack of active demand”
At various points throughout our lifetimes, the ratio of bone production to bone breakdown fluctuates.
Young children and adolescents experience rapid bone growth. Consequently, our bones might enlarge and become more robust (denser). By our mid-to late-20s, bone density peaks.
After that, the production of new bone occurs at roughly the same rate as the decomposition of existing bone. Accordingly, the adult skeleton undergoes a complete renewal process over a period of 7–10 years.
After age 40, bone starts to break down more quickly than it is rebuilt, which causes our bones to gradually lose density.
Causes of osteoporosis in men
There can be many reasons why men suffer from osteoporosis. Your bone mass from your youth has a bearing on how likely you are to acquire osteoporosis. Peak bone mass varies by ethnic group and is partially hereditary. The more bone you have “in the bank” and the higher your peak bone mass, the less likely it is that you will get osteoporosis as you get older.
Here are some causes of male osteoporosis.
Testosterone deficiency
Testosterone is a hormone principally generated in the testicles. Men’s: bone density is maintained by testosterone. It also controls the dispersion of fat, muscle mass, and strength. Deficiency of testosterone is a common cause of osteoporosis in men.
Doctors may suggest testosterone replacement therapy for low-testeroid males in order to increase bone mass. The problem is that it’s unclear how much of the bone-building advantage stems from a direct testosterone action. Also, men need oestrogen as well. Estrogen preserves bone density in both men and women. In fact, all men normally convert testosterone to oestrogen to build bone mass.
Low Calcium and Vitamin-D
Over the course of your lifetime, bones continue to grow naturally through a process known as remodelling in which old bone cells are shed and new bone cells are formed to take their place. However, your body requires a lot of calcium and vitamin D to build new bones.
Not exercising
Your bones are always keeping an eye on the mechanical strain you place on them. Similar to muscle, bone mass is a use-it-or-lose-it kind of thing. Bone responds to muscle pulling by expanding.
But if you don’t exercise, your muscles and bones get weaker.
Smoking
Due to the fact that smokers are more likely to have additional osteoporosis risk factors, such as a poor diet and inactive lifestyles, studying the impact of smoking on bone density has historically been a difficult topic.
The nicotine in cigarettes clings to bone cells called osteoblasts, eventually destroying the cells, which results in chemical alterations that have an impact on the direct consequences.
Prevention of male osteoporosis
According to Dr. Milind Tanwar “With lack of intake is associated with many traditional fads. Most adults have minimal or no intake of milk and milk products owing to the authenticity of milk. It is advised in such circumstances to opt for the most hygienic and trusted sources for procurement. Also, it is advised to roll-boil milk before consumption. With increasing cases of digestion-related issues with milk, it should be understood that consuming small amounts multiple times a day can be a better option. Most adults make sure to give their children an adequate amount of milk every day but willfully miss out on their daily calcium requirements. “
Experts agree that all people should take the following steps to preserve their bone health:
Avoid Smoking: If you smoke, you should stop now to limit the rate of bone loss caused by smoking.
Have a nutrient-rich diet: Find foods that are high in vitamin D and calcium. Consider taking a supplement to increase your intake if you are having difficulties getting the recommended levels.
Exercise: The recommended amount of exercise per day is 30 minutes. Low-impact, weight-bearing, and resistance workouts are the best types of exercise for bone health. It is always advisable to speak with your doctor before starting a new workout regimen, especially if you are at risk for osteoporosis.
Reduce alcohol consumption—Drinking alcohol in excess can affect your balance and increase your chances of falling and breaking a bone. Alcohol can also inhibit the absorption of calcium within the body, which can lead to bone loss.
Consult a doctor. Talk to a professional and consult about having a bone mineral density (BMD) test.
Men often tend to ignore their bone health. It’s high time that you consult a doctor and turn off all the alarming symptoms that are trying to tell you about your bone health. This World Osteoporosis Day, make sure you take good care of your bones and take preventative measures.