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Time of India
2 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Experts warn of 'silent disease' affecting American men: Here's what it is
While older females are more aware and conscious of their changing health and body, men rarely take the wake-up call. Due to their belief in strength or fear of suffering, they shoulder many signs of diseases before succumbing to treatment. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Something similar seems to be happening right now with American men who according to experts are unaware of developing a 'silent disease' that makes their bones brittle and weak. According to the National Spine Health Foundation, some 2 million US men are suffering from this slow-developing disease. Another 16 million have osteopenia, which is pre-osteoporosis or mild osteoporosis. One may think that with such a widespread diagnosis of the disease, men would be aware of the disease and be concerned about its diagnosis. But no, as per a survey commissioned by The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, only 1% of men are concerned about low bone density. In men 65 years and older, falls are the leading cause of injuries and injury-related deaths. If bone density and strength are low, even a minor fall could result in fractures. 'Unfortunately, there are no warning signs before it presents with a fracture,' Dr Paul Lewis, an interventional radiologist at Wexner, told The Post about osteoporosis. What is Osteoporosis? Image credits: Getty Images The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases defines as a bone disease that develops when the mineral density and bone mass decrease or when the structure and strength of the bones change. This increases the risk of fractures. It is called a silent disease as it has no prominent symptoms for identification. How to prevent Osteoporosis ? Image credits: Getty Images However, there are ways the expert suggests one can prevent the disease. As per Lewis, there are four ways to prevent osteoporosis. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Firstly, men must begin discussing testosterone with their doctor from the age of 30. With age, testosterone decreases and that contributes to weaker bones and a higher risk of osteoporosis in men. Secondly, physical exercise is a must as it improves balance. He recommends weight-bearing exercises like walking, hiking, stair climbing, resistance training with weights or bands or yoga. 'Some exercises can combine into helping your heart as well, such as pickleball, tennis or other sports,' said the associate professor at Ohio State's College of Medicine. The third step to take is to make some lifestyle changes. The use of tobacco, consumption of more than two alcoholic drinks a day, physical inactivity, and poor nutrition pose a higher risk of osteoporosis. Finally, he recommends getting a screening test, like a DEXA scan which is an X-ray that measures bone density to diagnose osteoporosis.
New York Post
2 days ago
- Health
- New York Post
The ‘silent disease' sneaking up on men — and 4 ways to battle it
Turns out that more men need to bone up on their bone density. Some 2 million US men suffer from osteoporosis, a slow-developing 'silent disease' that makes bones weak and brittle, according to the National Spine Health Foundation. Another 16 million men have osteopenia, which describes mild osteoporosis or pre-osteoporosis. Despite its prevalence, a new survey commissioned by The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center found that only 1% of men are concerned about low bone density. 4 Osteoporosis, which makes bones weak and brittle, affects 2 million US men. Graphicroyalty – No bones about it — this could be a grave error. Falls are the leading cause of injuries and injury-related deaths in adults 65 and older. Even minor falls can result in bone fractures if there has been a decrease in bone density and strength. 'Unfortunately, there are no warning signs before it presents with a fracture,' Dr. Paul Lewis, an interventional radiologist at Wexner, told The Post of osteoporosis. 4 Walking and other weight-bearing exercises may help stave off osteoporosis. The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center The good news is that there are prevention strategies — Lewis has four recommendations. First, men should start discussing testosterone with their doctor at the age of 30. Testosterone tends to decrease with age. Low T contributes to weaker bones and increases the risk of osteoporosis in men. Workouts that build bone density and improve balance should also be on their radar in their 30s and 40s. Think weight-bearing exercises like walking, hiking and stair climbing, resistance training with weights or bands and yoga or other balance exercises. 'Some exercises can combine into helping your heart as well, such as pickleball, tennis or other sports,' said Lewis, an associate professor at Ohio State's College of Medicine. 'Other practical options are walking the golf course instead of riding the cart, taking the stairs instead of the elevator [and] actively playing with your children or pets.' 4 Men in their 30s and 40s should look into workouts that build bone density and improve balance. junky_jess – Lewis warns that not participating in resistance training can mean a loss of up to 3% of bone mass a year. Don't push too hard, regardless of the activity — Lewis cautions that doing too much or exercising the wrong way, like with poor form, can lead to injury. Also, consider lifestyle changes. Tobacco use, more than two alcoholic drinks a day, physical inactivity, poor nutrition, falls related to environmental hazards and neuromuscular conditions increase the risk of osteoporosis. And finally, Lewis recommends getting a screening test, like a DEXA scan. 4 The DEXA scan, which reveals body composition and bone density, is shown here. Olga Ginzburg for NY Post The low-dose X-ray measures bone density to diagnose osteoporosis. If you do develop osteoporosis and spinal fractures, kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty are treatment options. In kyphoplasty, a small balloon is carefully inflated to make room in the fractured vertebra. A synthetic material known as bone cement is injected into the space. In vertebroplasty, bone cement is injected directly into the fractured vertebra without a balloon. 'Both procedures aim to relieve pain, restore vertebral height and enhance spinal stability, allowing patients to regain function and mobility,' Lewis said. 'They are performed under a twilight sedation and fluoroscopic imaging guidance. Patients experience minimal downtime and faster recovery compared to open surgery.'
