Try: Osteoporosis has been largely overlooked in men for a few reasons men generally have larger and stronger bones than women by the time they are 30 when peak bone density is achieved also men do not experience rapid bone thinning like women do following menopause but as in women the bones of men start to gradually thin and lose strength after age 30 and bone density is affected by heredity diet sex hormones lifestyle choices physical activity and the use of certain medications so although men have a leg up on women in terms of peak bone density they can still get into trouble if the conditions are right risk factors a parent who suffered from osteoporosis smoking excessive alcohol use low calcium intake and inadequate physical activity long term use of steroids such as prednisone or cortisone to treat asthma or arthritis anticonvulsants certain cancer treatments or aluminum-containing antacids chronic diseases affecting the kidneys including kidney stones lungs stomach intestines and altering hormone levels low levels of testosterone prevention to help prevent osteoporosis men and women can change unhealthy habits such as smoking and drinking start doing weight-bearing exercises treat any underlying medical conditions that affect bone loss and ensure an adequate daily intake of calcium 1 200 mg per day after age 50 and vitamin d 400 iu or at least 10 minutes of sunlight daily information references "osteoporosis in men " 2003 available at www health harvard edu
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Categories: Sage, Topic, Medical Physical, Gender, Male
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Keywords: Bones bone loss low testosterone steroids
*This information is listed as a Fact Sheet and is not explicitly medically licensed