Issue Date: July 27, 2008
Strong bones
Guys get osteoporosis, too.
Bone loss is a huge problem for aging women, but let's not forget men. They get osteoporosis, too. What's more, ignoring the problem in men comes with a high cost. According to the American College of Physicians, men with osteoporosis are twice as likely as women to die within a year of fracturing a hip.
The organization recently put together a set of guidelines to help doctors identify men who may be at risk for developing osteoporosis.
A primary goal of doctors is to ensure that we age healthfully. Avoiding the pitfalls of chronic illnesses like osteoporosis is a major step in this effort. Talk to your doctor if you think you may be at risk. He or she can assess you and share valuable information on how you can deal with the problem effectively.
Tedd Mitchell, M.D., president of Dallas' Cooper Clinic, writes HealthSmart every week.
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Osteoporosis risk factors for men
Older than 70
Low body weight (being "skinny" -- defined here as a BMI*, or body mass index, under 25 and especially under 20)
Physical inactivity
Use of certain medications (corticosteroids, androgendeprivation therapy)
A prior light trauma fracture (breaking a bone doing something that wasn't strenuous, such as stepping off a curb)
*BMI calculation: BMI = body weight (pounds) divided by height (inches) squared, then multiplied by 703
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