Men also have osteoporosis
Luise Heine has been an editor at since 2012. The qualified biologist studied in Regensburg and Brisbane (Australia) and gained experience as a journalist in television, in the Ratgeber-Verlag and in a print magazine. In addition to her work at , she also writes for children, for example for the Stuttgarter Kinderzeitung, and has her own breakfast blog, “Kuchen zum Frühstück”.
More posts by Luise Heine All content is checked by medical journalists.Bone loss is commonly seen as a typically female problem. In the process, the bones of some men crumble. But most of them are not at all aware of this. Discovered late, the clinical picture can be particularly problematic for men, experts are now warning on World Osteoporosis Day.
Only one in ten adults knows that osteoporosis also affects men, reports the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF). The organization came to the result of a survey of over 13,000 people from twelve countries. In fact, every fifth man over the age of 50 suffers from bone loss. However, the respondents are not alone in their ignorance; according to the survey, there is often a problem with medical professionals too. Just under half of the men were checked for bone health during routine examinations.
“The sad truth is that men often don't know about their risk. So they face a painful future with physical limitations and maybe even die sooner, ”warns Prof. John Kanis, President of the IOF. Because a therapy started early presupposes an early discovery of the disease.
Risk of broken bones
With osteoporosis there is a breakdown of bone mass. As a result, the skeleton of the body loses its stability and fractures occur much more easily. Bone loss occurs more and more with age. This has consequences: falls that would previously have been easily put away now lead to fractures, some of which also heal poorly. Before the first bone fracture occurs, many do not even notice their disease, because otherwise osteoporosis does not cause any symptoms.
A fracture of the femur is typical, for example, which severely restricts the mobility of those affected. Or even ends fatally: Around 20 percent of all people with hip fractures die within six months of the fracture, the IOS informs. If you only look at the number among men, it is even 37 percent who die one year after the fracture.
Fennel hui, Cola ugh
However, everyone can take precautions against bone loss with relatively simple means. On the one hand, it is important to pay attention to a diet rich in calcium. The intake should be 1 gram per day. There is a particularly large amount of this in vegetables such as fennel, broccoli and kale. But it is also found in nuts, many herbs and mineral water that is extra rich in calcium. On the other hand, foods that contain a lot of phosphorus (such as cola, processed cheese) can have a positive effect on osteoporosis, because they make it more difficult for calcium to be absorbed in the intestine. Smoking and alcohol or long-term use of medication such as cortisone also have a negative effect on bone density.
Sun rays for the bones
Another important pillar of osteoporosis prevention is getting enough exercise and physical activity. On the one hand, this strengthens the muscle tissue surrounding the bones, and on the other hand, active muscles stimulate the bones to store more calcium. Even better if the sport is done outside, because studies indicate that an adequate supply of vitamin D is also important for bone health. The vitamin is produced by the human body itself when it is stimulated to do so by the sun's rays.
Sources:
national Osteoporosis Foundation, Thematic report: Osteoporosis in men; www.worldosteoporosisday.org; (Accessed: October 20, 2014)
Doctors' newspaper: Osteoporosis - 3-point plan for prevention; www.aerztezeitung.de (accessed October 20, 2014)
