"The silent thief"as it rightly called because it robs individuals of their bone strength without showing any symptoms. Osteoporosis, a condition that causes bones to thin, weaken and break easily, affects women and men, nearly half of all people over the age of 75.
One in eight men over age 50 will have an osteoporotic fracture of some kind in his lifetime. Fractures due to osteoporosis can lead to chronic pain, loss of independence and, in the case of hip fractures, can be life-threatening. In people age 65 and older, 80 percent of hip fractures in men can be attributed to osteoporosis. Of those men who suffer a hip fracture, one-third will die within a year.Research shows several risk factors linked to osteoporosis in men, including undiagnosed low levels of testosterone, prolonged exposure to certain medications and unhealthy lifestyle habits such as smoking, excessive drinking and lack of exercise. A final factor, say scientists, is age. The older you are, regardless of gender, the greater your risk of developing osteoporosis.
The good news is that diet and exercise can help prevent osteoporosis. As part of National Osteoporosis Month, experts are promoting the importance of eating the right foods. For example, foods high in calcium - such as low-fat cheese, yogurt and milk should be consumed daily.
