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When the word osteoporosis is mentioned, most think of women and how many suffer from loss of bone density due to menopause. The fact is osteoporosis is also a man's disease that is, unfortunately, not as easily recognized in men but has become a 'silent epidemic' in the male population. Just like women, men's bones, over a lifetime, become more brittle and porous losing over half of the bone mass achieved throughout growth into early adulthood. The difference is, though the loss of bone is the same in women as in men, men compensate seemingly in a better way by laying down more new bone on the outer surface of the bone. This does not however compensate for the loss of bone on the inside surface.

It has been reported that one in every four to five hip fractures in people over 50 occurs in men, and bone thinning is a concern in men who smoke cigarettes and drink alcohol in excess. It is projected that by 2025, hospitals will treat greater numbers of hip fractures in both sexes, placing an enormous burden on the healthcare system, as well as the community.

Similar to women, the most common way to identify men at risk for fractures and bone disease is by measuring bone mineral density. This will indicate bone strength and should be available to any man who is concerned. Unfortunately, there are only a few osteoporosis treatments that have been approved for use by men, and effective drugs have been studied far less for men than for women who suffer from osteoporosis. The drug risedronate and etidronate show promise, as well as the bone building parathyroid hormone that makes new bone on the outside and inside surfaces of the bone. These drugs help to reconstruct the skeleton and reconnect the disconnected trabeculae (struts and plates) in the spongy bone.

Signs & Symptoms

For those men who are concerned about their risk for osteoporosis there are some guidelines to help determine the likelihood of developing the disease. They include family history of either parent breaking a hip after a minor bump or fall, men who have broken a bone after a minor bump or fall, men who have taken corticosteroid pills for more than three months, men who have noticed they have lost over one inch in height, men who drink heavily, men who smoke more than 20 cigarettes a day, men who experience frequent bouts of diarrhea, and men who suffer from impotence, lack of libido or other symptoms related to low testosterone levels.