Osteoporosis in Men: The “Silent” Disease Affects You, Too

Osteoporosis in Men: The ”Silent Disease“ Affects You, Too

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Think osteoporosis only happens to women? Think again. This “silent” disease affects men, too. According to the CDC, osteoporosis affects about 1 in 20 men over age 65. Osteoporosis can weaken bones to the point that a break can occur more easily. Broken hips are especially serious, causing patients to be unable to live on their own – and significantly raising their risk of dying sooner.

Protect your bones and your long-term health! Learn more about risk factors, diagnosis and prevention tips for osteoporosis men. 

Risk Factors

Men in their 50s do not experience the same rapid loss of bone mass that post-menopausal women, but by age 65 or 70 calcium absorption (essential for bone health) decreases in both sexes. That’s when osteoporosis becomes an increasingly larger risk for men. In fact, 1 in 8 men over age 50 will have an osteoporotic fracture.

  • Age – The older you are the higher your risk
  • Testosterone deficiency
  • Taking certain medications for chronic conditions (corticosteroids, heparin, anti-seizure drugs, prostate cancer drugs, etc.)
  • Low intake of calcium and vitamin D
  • Smoking and excessive alcohol intake
  • Sedentary lifestyle
  • Heredity and race (white men seem to be at greatest risk)
  • Loss of height or change in posture

Diagnosis

One of the reasons osteoporosis is call “the silent disease” is because it shows no symptoms. Patients realize they have it when they sustain a broken bone. What can you do? If you’re over age 50, ask your doctor about screening tests. In addition to X-rays, urine and blood tests, he or she may also order a bone mineral density test. This painless, non-invasive and safe test can identify osteoporosis and determine your risk for fractures.

Prevention

Both men and women reach peak bone density by their early 20s. That’s why good nutrition and calcium intake is so important for children and adolescents. So, what can you do as you get older? Two words: Live healthy!

  • Avoid smoking and consume alcohol in moderation.
  • Stay active to promote healthy bones and muscles.
  • Ensure an adequate daily intake of calcium and vitamin D.
  • Discuss bone health with your doctor – especially any medications you might be taking that are known to cause bone loss, such as glucocorticoids.

Ready to learn more? Come see the bone health experts at Orthopedic Institute. Our team is trained in musculoskeletal diseases and treatments. We’ll help you understand your risks before you experience a fracture or a major surgery such as hip replacement.

Essential Strength & Stability Exercises for Female Golfers

Essential Strength & Stability Exercises for Female Golfers

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An average golfer makes roughly 50-60 full swings per round. Each swing puts our joints near their end range of motion, particularly in the shoulders, spine and hips. If one does not possess the range of motion or strength to do this, then we put ourselves at additional risk of injury – which is why 46% of women suffer from low back pain and injuries from golfing.

Reduce your risk of injury with these essential strength and stability exercises for all golfers—but especially women.

Working with many golfers, healthy and injured, I notice trends in the physical characteristics between male and female golfers. For example, women tend to have much better mobility while men typically possess more strength while lacking range of motion.

Because of this, female golfers usually benefit from strength and stability exercise routines to help their muscles better protect their body while swinging a golf club. A simple warm-up routine (before you touch a golf club) that activates these muscles will have drastic effects on your body’s capabilities.

Use these two simple exercises to increase stability in your back and core, and to help protect your spine while golfing. If necessary, I recommend a physical screen and swing analysis to determine specific areas of emphasis that can improve your golf game and keep your body healthy.

Arm/Leg Floor Stretch

  • Start in the quadruped position (all fours) with arms and thighs perpendicular to the floor.
  • While stabilizing your spine in a neutral pelvic posture, extend your right leg and left arm simultaneously.
  • Make sure your spine stays neutral throughout the maneuver and repeat with the opposite side.

“Y” Exercise Ball Stretch

  • Lie on your stomach on top of an exercise ball with your arms out in front of you as though you are making the letter “Y.”
  • Raise your right arm and your left leg in the air and hold for 5 seconds.
  • Repeat this with the left arm and right leg. Perform 10 reps on each side. This builds the important muscles in the back that will help protect you during your golf swing.

Adam Halseth is a Physical Therapist and Golf Medical Professional with a Level 3 certification from the Titleist Performance Institute. He specializes in sports medicine and golf rehabilitation, and directs the OI Golf Medicine Program. Adam graduated from Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences with his Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2014.