Did you know? At least 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men will suffer an osteoporotic fracture – a greater incidence than heart attacks, stroke, and breast cancer combined!
Osteoporosis is a disease that both men and women are at risk for as they grow older. We hear a lot about osteoporosis in women and encouragements for women to get screened, but in learning more about osteoporosis, I was surprised to find that osteoporosis is common in men as well! Although there is a strong focus on educating women about osteoporosis, I think it’s equally important for men to be aware of their danger.
All seniors and their families must understand the high incidence of osteoporosis and factor this into their personal health plans. You need to be prepared if you or someone you love is at risk for developing this disease.
What Is Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is the deterioration of bone tissue as well as having low bone mass, resulting in greater bone fragility and risk of fracture. Bone loss can occur without symptoms, which is dangerous because of the frequency of fractures due to (typically undiagnosed) osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis: A Major Concern for Both Elderly Women and Men
This disease causes 70-90% of the 30,000 annual hip fractures in Canada but fewer than 20% of fracture patients are currently diagnosed and properly treated for osteoporosis. Furthermore, the risk of a repeat fracture increases after a first fracture, particularly without adequate treatment and precautions.
A truly sobering statistic which you see in the above graphic is that 28% of women and 37% of men who suffer a hip fracture will die within the following year.
This is why it is so important to be aware of osteoporosis (in both women and men), get screened, and take preventive measures.
Is Osteoporosis the Same as Osteoarthritis?
No. Osteoporosis is a disease of low bone mass and increased risk of fractures, while osteoarthritis is a disease of the joints and the surrounding tissue. Osteoarthritis is not associated with a higher risk of bone fractures. However, a person can have both osteoporosis and osteoarthritis at the same time.
Men and Osteoporosis
As I mentioned, I was surprised at the high incidence of men with osteoporosis – remember 1 in 5 men will suffer an osteoporotic fracture!
Unfortunately, because osteoporosis is often viewed as a “women’s disease”, fewer men are assessed, properly diagnosed, and correctly treated for the disease. This may contribute to why 37% of men die in the year following a hip fracture, while 28% of women do. Hip fractures are also more likely to cause men to require care in long-term care facilities.
Check out this video from Osteoporosis Canada about men and osteoporosis. I encourage you to share it with friends and family to spread the word!
Please visit the Osteoporosis Canada website for more details about osteoporosis and, specifically, tips for preventing falls
About Silver Sherpa
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*Silver Sherpa are not medical professionals. The advice in this blog is not intended as a substitute for medical advice.