Five Things Men Should Know About Bone Health
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In honor of Men’s Health Month, we thought it was the perfect time to talk about a topic often disregarded as a female health concern: bone health. While women are at higher risk of developing osteoporosis, men are still at risk. In fact, according to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, up to one in four men older than 50 years of age will experience a fracture due to osteoporosis.
Men tend to ignore bone health, and this is problematic as we see an increasing rise in male fractures, particularly hip fractures. It is never too early to start making lifestyle changes and keep bone health on your radar as you age.
5 Things Men Should Know
- Hormones help you preserve bone health, but some men are at risk of losing testosterone as they age. This can occur naturally or be a result from receiving prostate cancer treatment, which may play a role in bone loss or osteoporosis.
- One in four men older than 50 years of age experience a fracture because of osteoporosis.
- A large amount of men- approximately 80,000, break a hip each year.
- Nearly two million American men are already living with the disease.
- The number of hip fractures in American men is expected to rise 52% by 2030 (mean are also at risk for spinal fractures and lower/upper extremity fractures).
5 Things Men Can Do
- Eat your way to bone health. Be sure to eat a well-rounded diet that includes foods rich in calcium and vitamin D foods rich in calcium and vitamin D. However, don’t forget other important bone-health nutrients like magnesium and vitamin K.
- Have a bone density test. Because osteoporosis is often referred to as a “silent disease”, it is important to assess your risk of osteoporosis and weakened bone mass, or other musculoskeletal concerns, by having a bone density test performed.
- Exercise for a healthy skeleton. Weight-bearing exercises and strength training are beneficial ways to build and maintain bone mass.
- Avoid excessive alcohol consumption and quit smoking.
- Seek medical guidance on the best ways to preserve and protect your bone health, and never dismiss a fracture (it may signal reduced bone mass or osteoporosis).
With an additional 12 million men at risk of bone loss and osteoporosis, it is crucial to consider bone health as an important part of overall men’s health. Learn about your risk factors, exercise to strengthen your skeleton, stick to a bone-healthy diet, consider a bone density test before the age of 50, and be sure to seek care immediately after a fracture. You may consult with a Rebound orthopedic specialist by calling us at 1-800-REBOUND or scheduling an appointment online.
Rebound Bone Health Resources for Men:
Osteoporosis Detection, Prevention and Myths
Nix Nicotine for Better Bone Health
Blueprint for Better Joint Mobility: How Activity Keeps Your Bones Healthy as You Age
Make Orthopedic Health a Priority with Bone-Healthy Exercise
Bone Health Resources for Men:
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons – Osteoporosis in Men
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons – Osteoporosis Tests
National Osteoporosis Foundation – Man’s Guide to Osteoporosis