How to Prevent Secondary Osteoporosis in Men

Although most men consider osteoporosis to be a woman’s disease, statistics show that more than 2 million men in the U.S. today have the disease. While men in their fifties typically do not lose bone mass as quickly as women do following menopause, by age 70 men and women both lose bone mass at about the same rate. Because most men diagnosed with osteoporosis usually have at least one secondary cause, it is important to identify and address any underlying conditions known to cause bone loss. Read on to learn how to prevent secondary osteoporosis in men.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Drink in moderation (no more than two drinks a day). There have been cases where bone loss is related to alcohol abuse. Stop drinking, or at least reduce your consumption of alcohol. Although researchers have yet to understand completely how heavy drinking affects bone growth, studies suggest that if alcohol is consumed in excess in early adulthood, the risk increases for developing osteoporosis later in life.

2. Use minimal doses of glucocorticoid medications. These drugs are a common cause of secondary osteoporosis in men. If you take a glucocorticoid medication to treat an inflammatory condition such as arthritis, be sure to include plenty of calcium in your diet, along with adequate intake of vitamin D. Your doctor may recommend that you take calcium and vitamin D supplements daily as well. Sufficient amounts of these nutrients can help to reduce the effects of glucocorticoids on the bones.

3. Quit smoking. Unhealthy lifestyle habits rank high among the risk factors for osteoporosis in men. Smoking triggers increased production of the hormone cortisol, which can cause thinning of the bones. Nicotine from cigarettes also kills osteoblasts, the body's bone-making cells. If you smoke, your body absorbs less calcium.

4. Ask your doctor to screen for gastrointestinal disease, as digestive disorders can cause secondary osteoporosis. Symptoms of some gastrointestinal diseases include malabsorption of calcium, vitamin D and vitamin K, all nutrients needed for bone health. Steroid medications often prescribed to treat GI conditions can cause osteoporosis as well. In addition, many of these diseases increase fatigue, which may lead to a more inactive lifestyle, increasing the risk for bone loss.

5. Exercise regularly to maintain strong, healthy bones. If you don't exercise, you will lose bone density. Weight-bearing exercise is the most effective, as your body must work against gravity.

Tips & Warnings

• Men age 50 and older need 1,200 mg of calcium daily, and 800 to 1,000 IU of vitamin D each day.
• If you take a glucocorticoid medication for more than three months, you are at risk for developing glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis.
• Smokers are at double the risk for suffering a fracture. Heavy smokers are at even more risk for fracture.

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