Steoporosis is usually diagnosed accidently, after a fracture. When A. Kumar, a 49-year-old businessman, complained about a severe back ache, he was told upon examination that his spine was almost hollow because of osteoporosis. His first reaction was that of total disbelief and he promptly asked the doctor: “But don’t only women suffer from it?” Men are also prone to osteoporosis, a disease that leads to increased risk of fractures due to reduced bone mineral density. Alcohol and cigarettes had made Kumar’s bones porous. “We had to operate upon him and fill cement in his spine to give it the necessary strength. He had to take calcium supplements too,” says Dr Shankar Acharya, consultant spine surgeon, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. It is a misconception that osteoporosis in men is rare. Dr Sushil Sharma, president, Arthritis Foundation of India says that, “local surveys indicate that one in five men are suffering from osteoporosis, which is a high figure.”

What leads to osteoporosis? The onset of the disease in men is late, as compared to women. Men above the age of 60 are more prone to osteoporosis, but younger men too can get it depending on their lifestyle. “Consumption of alcohol, smoking, inactivity (which is very common with people spending long hours before the computer), poor dietary habits, all contribute to men getting osteoporosis,” says Dr S.K. Wangnoo, senior consultant endocrinologist, Indraprastha Apollo Hospital.

People indulging in pizza, burgers and aerated drinks everyday, may not realise that this diet makes them prone to osteoporosis. “The body needs nutrition and calcium is very important for bones. Vegetarians, who do not have raw vegetables, are also at a risk of developing osteoporosis. The nutritional value is less in over-cooked food,” says Dr Wangnoo. Sunlight is another important factor. Most of us are deprived of sunlight, a natural source of Vitamin D important for calcium absorption in our body. So no exposure to sunlight means no vitamin D formation and less of calcium absorption.

Sixty-five-year-old Professor (retd) V.P Bhatnagar, who had spent maximum time indoors, teaching engineering students at Delhi University, suffered a hip fracture last year. His is an acute case of osteoporosis. “I didn’t know that lack of exercise and no exposure to sunlight can result in this.” says Prof Bhatnagar, who now relies on heavy calcium supplements and goes for regular checkups to prevent any more problems at his age.Symptoms and treatment

Osteoporosis is a silent disease and there are no major symptoms. But backache should not be taken lightly, as it might be an indicator. Men with osteoporosis are more susceptible to micro-fractures of the spine, and loss of height and weight over a period of time is another indication. In acute osteoporosis even sneezing can result in a fracture. “Sneezing hard increases the pressure in the chest, and can fracture the rib bones or the vertebra, because the bones are very porous. You can suffer fractures even in a minor fall.” says Dr SKS Marya, senior orthopedic surgeon, Max Healthcare.

Exercises

Follow a regular regimen of weight-bearing exercises where bone and muscles work against gravity. This includes walking, jogging, racquet sports, climbing stairs, and team sports. Also, lifting weights or using resistance machines may help preserve bone density. For those who spend long hours before the computer, exercise is a must,” says Dr Vikas Gupta, consultant, orthopedics, Fortis Healthcare. Swimming is not a good exercise for the bones, as it only helps tone the muscles as the body is weightless in water. In most men, osteoporosis occurs as a result of arthritis which points to a sedentary lifestyle."

If you are suffering from prolonged backache and have lost weight or height then you should consult a doctor and get a bone density check done immediately. A bone density test is commonly available in major hospitals to gauge a person’s risk of osteoporosis.The good news is that osteoporosis is now a largely treatable condition and, with a combination of lifestyle changes and appropriate medical treatment, many fractures can be avoided. risha.chitlangia@mailtoday.in