True and False Questions
True or False? Men rarely get osteoporosis.
False.
Osteoporosis is common among men. Men older than 50 are more likely to break a bone due to osteoporosis than they are to get prostate cancer.
True or False? Weak bones caused by osteoporosis are just a part of getting older.
False.
People used to think that osteoporosis was an inevitable part of aging. As it turns out, though, osteoporosis is a disease you can do something about. It can be prevented, detected and treated.
Why is osteoporosis serious for men?
One in four men older than 50 will break a bone due to osteoporosis. But the problem with osteoporosis isn't just broken bones. The problem is that when you're older, breaking a bone is serious. It often starts a downward spiral of pain, disability, deformity, and the loss of independence.
Breaking a hip, for example, leads to immobility, which in turn can cause isolation and health problems. Twenty percent of seniors who break a hip will die within one year. Many of those who survive will need long-term nursing home care.
Be good to your bones
It's smart to start protecting your bones when you're young. If you don't form enough bone, then you might be at a disadvantage when you're older, when many men lose bone faster than they make it. However, if you are older and you haven't been focusing on your bone health, don't be discouraged about the bone you might have already lost. You are never too old to protect your bones. But take action now. Once you start to lose bone density, it's hard to build it up again.
What can I do for my bones?
The recipe for bone health is simple:
- get enough calcium and vitamin D, and eat a well-balanced diet
- do weight-bearing and resistance exercises
- don't smoke
- drink alcohol only in moderation
- talk to your doctor or health care provider about your bone health