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Are Men at Risk for Osteoporosis?
Weak bones aren't just an issue
for women. In their early lives,
men often are protected against
osteoporosis because they have
larger bones. "Men lose bone
more slowly during the course of
their lifetime than women do,"
says orthopedic surgeon Arthur
Mark, M.D. "But as men reach
their 60s and 70s, their bones
can become brittle and break."
A man's risk for osteoporosis
increases as he
gets older. Besides age,
other risk factors include:
- Smoking
- Not being active
- A diet low in calcium and vitamin D
- Taking certain medicines for asthma and arthritis
- Alcohol abuse
- Having conditions that affect the kidneys, lungs, or hormone levels
- Being Caucasian
"To protect your bones,
talk with your doctor," says
Dr. Mark. "This is especially
important if you notice a
change in your posture or
have sudden back pain."
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