Causes of osteoporosis in older men. Features of the development of osteoporosis in men and methods of treatment. Features of the treatment of osteoporosis in men
In a healthy body, mineral exchange occurs between the blood and bone tissue that makes up the human skeleton. In this case, the bone tissue receives the elements it needs: calcium and phosphorus.
Osteoporosis is a pathological disease in which the mineral exchange between the blood and bone tissue is disturbed, while only the “emptying” of the calcium and phosphorus reserves in the bones occurs.
The density and mass of the bones of the whole body begin to decrease, which leads to an increase in bone fragility. Fractures can occur due to the minimum load on them.
Osteoporosis begins to develop when there is a decrease in the amount of calcium and phosphorus in the body, which leads to a decrease in bone density.
Please note! Osteoporosis usually develops very slowly. From the moment the disease develops to the manifestation of its symptoms, it can take from 10 to 15 years.
Osteoporosis is a condition in which bones lose their strength, become more fragile and more prone to fracture. With a disease in the bones, the calcium content is reduced, which is necessary to maintain their shape and strength. This leads to a change in the structure of the bone tissue. As a result, the risk of fractures increases significantly.
A disease such as osteoporosis, in itself, does not affect well-being. Its danger lies in the fact that even with a minor injury, a fracture can occur in a person, the consequences of which can be very serious.
Osteoporosis is a systemic disease. Externally manifested in fractures of the femur, vertebral bones or bones of the forearm, this disease gradually destroys all the bones of the skeleton without exception.
The main cause of osteoporosis is the leaching of mineral salts from hard bone tissues. Due to the lack of these salts, the bones become so brittle that the slightest mechanical impact can provoke a fracture. With this diagnosis, a person can break a leg or arm from falling from a height of their height or sharply turning a joint.
Bones in the presence of osteoporosis do not lose mineral density overnight. The process lasts for years: from the moment when the disease appeared to the first fracture caused by it, ten or even fifteen years can pass.
Osteoporosis is a condition in which bone density decreases, making it fragile and prone to pathological fractures. In other words, osteoporosis is an increased "porosity" of the skeleton.
Causes
Our body in general and the skeletal system in particular are designed in such a way that in the course of its life, the bone is constantly destroyed and rebuilt again, that is, it is renewed. If the destruction of the bone occurs faster than the restoration, then osteoporosis develops.
Normally, the bone grows up to 30-35 years, reaching the “peak” of bone mass. Then a natural decrease in bone mass begins, which is no more than 1% per year.
In women with menopause, bone loss may occur faster, since a deficiency of female sex hormones - estrogens - contributes to the development of osteoporosis.
The most typical explanation for primary male osteoporosis is hypogonadism, i.e. estrogen and testosterone deficiency. The lack of this hormone has a negative effect on all stages of remodulation (natural permanent renewal) of bone tissue.
Limited testosterone production is fraught with both an accelerated destruction of the bone structure and a slowdown in its recovery.
The disease in many cases affects people with unfavorable heredity.
Another important negative factor may be short stature and low body weight.
Secondary osteoporosis in men develops against the background of hyperthyroidism, rickets, malabsorption, malignant neoplasms, rheumatoid arthritis, liver failure.
To eradicate the pathology, you will need a lot of effort. The treatment of this disease is as follows: therapeutic physical culture, reasonable activity, massage procedures and drug treatment.
heredity (genetic predisposition to osteoporosis);
Prolonged immobilization (bed rest for more than 2 months) - after operations, fractures;
As a result of research, it has been established that in men, the cause of osteoporosis can be an extensive group of concomitant diseases that have to be treated in parallel with osteoporosis. Diseases act in two directions - they reduce the absorption of nutrients or affect cells that renew and destroy bone tissue, these are:
- chronic diseases of the liver, kidneys;
- chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases;
- malignant neoplasms;
- multiple sclerosis;
- hyperparathyroidism;
- diabetes;
- hyperthyroidism (Basedow's disease);
- rheumatoid arthritis;
- male hypogonadism, a disease caused by testicular failure.
In the medical literature, information has appeared on the effect of somatic diseases on male osteoporosis - hypertension, stroke, coronary heart disease and heart attack.
Classification
Primary osteoporosis
Primary (involutional, postmenopausal, senile or senile) osteoporosis. It usually develops in old age (after 50 years). Risk factors for primary osteoporosis include:
- elderly age;
- fragile physique;
- small growth;
- family history of fractures;
- late onset of menstruation (after 15 years);
- early cessation of menstruation (up to 50 years);
- scanty and infrequent menstruation;
- infertility;
- prolonged lactation (more than 6 months).
Primary osteoporosis in women develops 4-5 times more often than in men.
Secondary osteoporosis
What it is? Secondary osteoporosis develops in the case of development in the human body of processes that change the exchange of bone tissue (reduction of its mass). The causes of secondary osteoporosis include the following disorders of hormonal metabolism:
- increased activity of the thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism), diabetes mellitus, hyperparathyroidism, hypercortisolism (develops due to long-term use of corticosteroids, or as a result of chronic diseases).
- In addition, the causes of development can be: leukemia (leukemia), myeloma, metastatic bone tissue, thalassemia
Signs of osteoporosis in men
In the early stages, osteoporosis is almost impossible to recognize by external signs. If this disease is suspected, the doctor prescribes densitometry, an examination designed to monitor changes in the bone structure.
Now for the signs. Probably, many of you are wondering: what is the difference between osteoporosis symptoms and signs. Symptoms are what we feel and can assume the presence of a disease, and signs are what we observe, that is, what already indicates the onset of the disease.
Symptoms of osteoporosis
At the first stage, the disease does not manifest itself acutely, but nevertheless, some distinctive features in women after 50 years, and sometimes even after 40, can be seen:
- Discomfort and stiffness when moving.
- Pain in the back and joints, aggravated after physical exertion.
- Reducing the height of a woman by 2-3 cm.
- The formation of a "widow's" hump, when the disease leads to deformation of the skeleton.
- Increasing incidence of fractures at the slightest injury.
In order not to be a regular visitor to the emergency room in old age, it is worth starting prevention long before the first signs of the disease appear.
Especially often, osteoporotic disease develops in adolescents during puberty and in adult men at the age of maximum sexual activity, i.e. up to 45 years.
The predominant form of the primary disease is idiopathic. Senile osteoporosis is typical for pensioners.
See the definition of terms in the article on the types of disease.
Of the external signs of the disease should be listed:
- kyphosis of the thoracic region;
- gait disorders;
- pain.
Hormonal problems are sometimes indicated by sexual dysfunction, changes in the size of the testicles.
previous fractures.
The use of certain drugs, such as glucocorticoids;
Symptomatic painkillers.
With damage to the lumbar spine, back pain and age-related decrease in height (up to 15 cm) come to the fore. Lead a correct, healthy lifestyle.
Disease Risk Factors
- At the same time, calcium should be 2 times more than other trace elements.
- age (most at risk are men over 60);
- calcium;
- Lifestyle changes, including quitting smoking, reducing excessive alcohol consumption, exercising regularly, and eating a balanced diet with increased calcium and vitamin D. And as much sun exposure as possible.
- Medicines for the treatment of osteoporosis are grouped into separate groups depending on their active ingredient.
- Long periods of physical inactivity, such as prolonged bed rest.
- alcohol abuse;
Diet Osteoporosis requires adequate daily intake of calcium and vitamin D3 through food. To do this, you need to have a large amount of dairy and sour-milk products, fish, egg yolks, nuts and broccoli in the diet.
Symptoms of the disease
Diagnosis of osteoporosis
For early diagnosis of osteoporosis, densitometry is used to determine bone mineral density and predict the risk of fracture.
This study belongs to the number of x-rays (however, exposure to it is minimal). With it, the bones are translucent with x-rays and, if the strength of the bone is reduced, then it delays less rays.
Osteoporosis is a disease that lies at the intersection of many medical disciplines. The search for its causes most often begins in the office of a gynecologist, endocrinologist or therapist. Sometimes, in the case when the manifestation of the disease is manifested immediately by a pathological fracture, it can be a traumatologist - orthopedist.
The following conditions are used as indications for the densitometry procedure:
- early onset of menopause;
- anorexia;
- secondary amenorrhea (prolonged nature of the course);
- renal failure (chronic);
- hypogonadism (primary);
- hyperparathyroidism;
- low testosterone (relevant in particular for men);
- hypotrophy;
- estrogen deficiency;
- the presence of diseases that may be associated with osteoporosis (spondyloarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteochondrosis, etc.);
- therapy with corticosteroids.
Diagnosis of osteoporosis includes:
- X-ray examination, in which an X-ray image of the bone is taken and the state of the bone and its density are judged by the saturation of its color in the image. The lighter the frame, the stronger the violations.
- Absorptiometry - diagnosis of the disease using two beams, and not one, as with a densitometer. The more the bone absorbs radiation, the more serious and extensive the destruction.
- ultrasound. In this case, the absorption rate of ultrasound is taken into account, the higher it is, the more obvious the violations of the structure of the bone tissue.
- Single photon densinometry. This method is based on determining the density of bone tissue and takes no more than 15 minutes.
CT scan. - Blood chemistry. With it, you can determine the exact content of calcium, alkaline photophase, vitamin D, parathyroid hormone and phosphorus in the blood.
Treatment of osteoporosis
After a man contacts a specialist, the doctor must establish an accurate diagnosis, exclude or identify concomitant diseases, and then prescribe the necessary treatment to the patient. Rheumatologists treat osteoporosis.
To detect osteoporosis, examinations are used using the following methods:
- Trepanobiopsy - this procedure is the collection of bone marrow by puncturing the bone with a specially designed needle.
- Scintigraphy - allows you to get a two-dimensional image and is performed after the introduction of radioactive isotopes into the body.
- MRI.
- A general and biochemical blood test (allows you to find out if osteoporosis is caused by bone tuberculosis. If tuberculosis is the cause of bone thinning, the white blood cell count will be significantly overestimated).
- The level of testosterone in the blood.
drugs that slow down bone resorption ("dissolution" of the bone):
- bisphosphonates;
- calcitonin;
- estrogens (female sex hormones);
drugs that enhance bone formation:
- teriparatide;
- drugs that have a multifaceted effect on bone tissue:
- active metabolites of vitamin D;
- strontium salts.
To decide on the appointment of any of these drugs, you should consult a doctor. In each case, therapy is selected individually.
Remember that treating osteoporosis is much more expensive and less effective than preventing it. Much depends on you.
It is necessary to take care of your bones, from early childhood to old age.
During the period of treatment, and if possible in the future, the patient should completely stop smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages. The lifestyle should be mobile, but strong abrupt loads should be avoided in order to prevent fractures of vulnerable bones.
To name some specific drugs: alendronate, teriparatide, calcitonin, vitamin D.
Osteoporosis is treated with medication, people with endocrine disorders are prescribed drugs that will help restore hormonal levels. Elderly people are prescribed nutritional supplements rich in calcium and vitamin D. Women during menopause are prescribed hormone replacement therapy, as well as bisphosphonates.
Doctors will prescribe a special diet, physiotherapy exercises, and massages to absolutely all patients. Of course, any power loads should be minimal - only a specialist will be able to choose an adequate training program, taking into account the degree of bone fragility.
The main goal in the treatment of osteoporosis is to reduce bone loss while simultaneously activating the process of its restoration. Complex treatment of osteoporosis includes hormonal therapy (estrogens, androgens, gestagens), vitamin D, bisphosphonates, calcitonin.
Drugs used in the treatment of osteoporosis:
- Preparations that stimulate bone formation: bioflavonoids, vitamin D3; salts of strontium, calcium and fluorine
- Bone resorption suppressants: bisphosphonates (zoledronic acid, risedronate, ibandronate, alendronate, pamidronate), calcitonin, natural estrogens
- Hormonal preparations for osteoporosis are selected depending on gender, age and risk factors. When choosing drugs for women, the menopausal phase, the presence of the uterus and the woman's desire to have menstrual-like reactions in the postmenstrual period are taken into account.
Unfortunately, today it is impossible to completely cure osteoporosis, however, with the help of drugs that affect the absorption and subsequent absorption of calcium, it is possible to significantly improve the condition of the skeletal system.
Physiotherapy
A healthy lifestyle is a big and sure step in the treatment of osteoporosis. The concept of a healthy lifestyle in this case means therapeutic exercises, massage and sunbathing.
Regular gymnastics (at least 3 times a week for 30 minutes) will allow you to achieve bone growth by 3-5% in just a couple of months.
It is desirable that the set of exercises be selected by a specialist - only he will be able to calculate the load required on the body, taking into account the characteristics and capabilities of the patient.
Before using any folk remedies, be sure to consult your doctor.
- Licorice naked. Grind the root of the plant, pour a tablespoon of raw materials into 0.45 liters of hot water, soak in a water sauna for half an hour, insist for 90 minutes, filter. Take ½ cup four times a day before meals.
- It is necessary to mix 100 g of propolis and 50 g of buckwheat honey. Then add 100 g of crushed and pre-dried eggshells in the oven. The resulting mixture is recommended to take two teaspoons once a day.
- Eggshell for osteoporosis of the bones. The eggshell is crushed into powder (blender), and then mixed with lemon juice in a ratio of 1:1. The remedy is taken orally ¼ or ½ teaspoon for two weeks, after which a break is made for a week.
- Fresh juice of young nettle helps with fractures in the femoral neck. It is recommended to rub it into the affected area twice a day.
- Infusions from various herbs are very effective.. For their preparation, you can use St. John's wort, dandelion roots and others. It is necessary to pour a tablespoon of grass with 220 ml of boiling water. The cooled liquid is drunk throughout the day.
- Shilajit is taken orally. To do this, you need to make a small ball of 2-4 grams and dissolve it in 100 g of warm water. The drug is taken for 3-4 weeks, after which they take a break. It has been proven that mummy is the best folk remedy for the treatment of osteoporosis in women and men.
The list of useful herbs and medicinal plants is wide, but you should understand that not all of them can be used to treat bone disease. For example, natural foods containing oxalic acid will only aggravate the course of the disease.
The action of medicines
Medicines have a different effect on bone tissue, cartilage. Bone resorption inhibitors (bisphosphonates, calciotonins, hormone replacement therapy) reduce the activity of osteoblasts - cells that destroy bone tissue.
Preparations based on fluorine, strontium, parathyroid hormone, anabolic steroids stimulate mineralization and bone formation. Calcium - the main component of the bone, increases its strength, is involved in the synthesis of bone tissue. Vitamin D helps the absorption of calcium, promotes the synthesis of bones and cartilage.
How to treat osteoporosis with folk remedies?
There is a large group of medications that can cause osteoporosis. Some of them cannot be canceled for health reasons, since the patient needs constant treatment. Osteoporosis in men can be caused by:
- diuretic drugs - lasix, furosemide and others, they remove calcium salts with urine;
- drugs based on thyroid hormones;
- drugs that reduce the level of male sex hormones in the blood are prescribed for prostate cancer;
- radiation and chemotherapy - reduce the production of estrogen, lower bone density;
- anticonvulsants for long-term use;
- glucocorticosteroids - hydrocortisone, dexamezaton, prednisolone;
- preparations containing aluminum at high doses reduce the absorption of calcium;
- prolonged use of heparin.
Dosage reduction or drug withdrawal without the recommendation of the attending physician can harm treatment and cause an exacerbation of an existing disease.
Prevention of osteoporosis
Calcium and healthy bones
Sufficient calcium intake is an important part of the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis, as it helps maintain bone density. Decreased calcium intake increases the risk of fractures.
Adequate calcium intake is essential throughout life. The table below shows the recommended calcium intake for people of different sex and age.
It is advisable to consume enough calcium with food to cover the daily requirement. This will help prevent calcium loss from the bones. Milk and dairy products are the richest in calcium (see table below). The following formula can be used to calculate the daily intake of calcium from food.
Daily intake of calcium, mg. = dairy calcium, mg. 350 mg. Calcium content in various foods
| Food product | |
| Milk (any) | |
| Ice cream | |
| plain yogurt | |
| fruit yogurt | |
| Hard cheese (Cheddar, Edam, etc.) | |
| Swiss cheese | |
| Soft cheese (brie type) | |
| White chocolate | |
| Milk chocolate | |
| White bread | |
| Black bread | |
| Sardines in oil (with bones) | |
| Canned salmon (with bones) | |
| Spinach (fried) | |
| baked beans | |
| Concentrated orange juice (no sugar) | |
| Orange | 70 (in 1 medium orange) |
| Rice (cooked) | |
| 55 (in 1 medium egg) |
Let's highlight the three most effective ways to help fight age-related changes that are destructive to bone tissue:
- Taking vitamins and drugs.
- Complete nutrition rich in vitamins and minerals, as well as unsaturated fatty acids.
- Physical exercise.
Preparations for the prevention of osteoporosis
Prevention of osteoporosis should start at an early age. Again, let us turn to the sad statistics, which says that 25% of school-age children have a decrease in bone tissue. Therefore, as often as possible, give your child products containing calcium, such as milk and cottage cheese.
Prevention of osteoporosis involves:
- The transition to a healthy diet with the use of a large number of fresh vegetables, fruits, berries, dairy products, fish;
- Taking medications containing calcium, vitamin D3 and other multivitamin complexes;
- Caution, avoiding fractures, bruises, cracks;
- Maintaining an active lifestyle: dancing, rollerblading, skating, morning or evening jogging, swimming, staying outdoors for a long time;
- All drugs should be taken with great care and under medical supervision.
Osteoporosis in men is a dangerous disease that leads to changes in bone density. Pathology refers to age-related diseases and is diagnosed in people older than 50-60 years. Osteoporosis is dangerous complications, which include fracture of the femoral neck. Why osteoporosis occurs in men, how to recognize it and what methods will help to cope with the disease - more on that.
Osteoporosis is quite widespread among the stronger sex; in Russia, among men over 50 years old, about a quarter have signs of a decrease in bone strength
According to statistics, women experience osteoporosis three times more often than men. The reason for this selectivity of the disease is that the bone tissue of the female skeleton itself is much less dense. However, this does not mean that men are completely immune from pathologies such as osteoporosis.
The risk group for the development of this pathology includes representatives of the stronger sex with overweight and a sedentary lifestyle. Risk factors:
- age over 65;
- bad habits;
- hormonal disorders;
- metabolic disorders.
Age changes
Osteoporosis is an age-related disease. Its development is due to changes that occur in the body as we age. First of all, this refers to the metabolic rate. With age, all processes occurring in the body gradually slow down. As a result, the rate of regeneration worsens, it takes more time to restore bones than at a young age. Against this background, the risk of developing osteoporosis increases many times, especially under the influence of predisposing factors.
Hormonal disorders
One of the first factors causing the development of senile changes in the structure of bone tissue is the cessation of the production of sex hormones. In men, this is less pronounced than in women, but androgen deficiency, the development of which is associated with the presence of chronic diseases of the genital organs, increases the risk of osteoporosis.
The cause of osteoporosis in men 40 years old can be a violation of testosterone production. This hormone has an important function in the formation of muscle and bone tissue, so its deficiency leads to a number of changes in the body in addition to reproductive health.
After 50 years, the lack of testosterone appears more clearly. If a man has any chronic diseases, as well as a lack of calcium, the risk of developing osteoporosis is very high.
Other reasons
With age, the absorption of nutrients that enter the body with food is disturbed. This can lead to calcium and phosphorus deficiencies. The lack of these elements entails demineralization of the bones and a change in their density.
The development of osteoporosis in older men may be due to the presence of chronic diseases such as diabetes, gout, heart failure. Causes of osteoporosis in men at a young age are hypocalcemia, metabolic disorders and hypogonadism.
The causes of osteoporosis are made up of heredity and adverse environmental conditions.
Symptoms of the disease
Symptoms and treatment of osteoporosis in men depend on several factors:
- the severity of changes in bone tissue;
- localization of the lesion;
- the prevalence of the pathological process;
- age.
Despite the fact that osteoporosis is systemic, due to the nature of the load, some bones and joints are involved in the pathological process to a greater extent. As a rule, the localization of severe lesions is often due to the professional activity of a person. If a man lifts weights daily, the symptoms of osteoporosis will spread to a greater extent to the lower spine. With constant running and load on the knees, the pathological process will be expressed in the area of the knee joints.
Symptoms of osteoporosis in men depend on the severity of changes in bone density. In the initial stages of the pathological process, osteoporosis in young and elderly men has practically no symptoms. Perhaps the periodic appearance of moderate pain in the joints of the lower extremities with a strong load.
With severe osteoporosis in men, the following changes are observed:
- decrease in growth;
- curvature of the spine (scoliosis, kyphosis, stoop);
- pain in the lumbar region;
- foot and ankle pain;
- knee discomfort.
Features of osteoporosis in men - a moderately severe pain syndrome. Discomfort is aching episodic and goes away on its own. This complicates the treatment, since the patient simply does not see the point in going to the doctor, correlating periodic aching pains with fatigue due to stress.
Frequent fractures with minor injuries are a typical symptom of osteoporosis in old age and in men at a young age.
Manifestations and signs of osteoporosis are especially noticeable in injuries and bruises. Any damage to the joints takes a very long time. In the case of fractures, it may be necessary to take special drugs to accelerate the restoration of bone tissue, since regeneration against the background of osteoporosis is greatly slowed down.
As a rule, the older the man, the more pronounced the changes that occur against the background of pathology. While young patients complain only of minor pain during exertion, older patients notice a deterioration in posture and changes in gait due to bone pain.
Why is osteoporosis dangerous?
This is a dangerous disease with slow progression, which must be treated in a timely manner. Otherwise, the disease can cause the following changes and complications:
- curvature of the spinal column;
- frequent fractures;
- injuries of the intervertebral discs and vertebrae;
- hip fracture;
- deterioration of the blood supply to the brain;
- disruption of the internal organs.
Due to changes in bone density, there is a violation of posture. The development of kyphosis is potentially dangerous, there is a malfunction of the internal organs due to their displacement.
A hip fracture is especially dangerous for older patients. Such an injury leads to disability.
Diagnostics
The following methods are used to make a diagnosis:
- radiography (informative with a decrease in bone density by 25% or more);
- Ultrasound (reveals changes with a decrease in density by 5% or more);
- densitometry (the method is informative at the initial stages of the disease).
The problem is that few men go to the doctor when they feel discomfort. In the vast majority of cases, osteoporosis is detected incidentally, during examination due to injuries or fractures.
Treatment
Alternative treatment of osteoporosis, perhaps, is one of the most ancient, but by no means forgotten healing areas.
In the treatment of osteoporosis in men, the following methods are followed:
- medicines to restore bone density;
- Exercise therapy and physiotherapy to normalize metabolic processes and improve regeneration;
- diet to replenish calcium losses;
- massage to prevent further progression of the disease;
- folk remedies as an auxiliary method.
First, it is necessary to identify the causes of the development and occurrence of osteoporosis in men. In the case when the disease develops against the background of existing chronic diseases, one should undergo a comprehensive treatment of the pathology that led to the development of osteoporosis.
Drug therapy is carried out using the following groups of drugs and medicines:
- calcium and vitamin D;
- bisphosphonates;
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- hormones.
Calcium supplements are the mainstream in the treatment of osteoporosis. Such drugs can increase bone density and strengthen bones to prevent fractures. Bisphosphonates reduce the rate of spread of the pathological process. The drugs of this group allow men to maintain their working capacity and reduce the risk of fractures.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Diclofenac, Ibuprofen) are used to relieve pain. Hormones are used only when indicated (androgen deficiency).
Radon baths, mud therapy, magnetotherapy and ozone therapy are shown to improve bone tissue regeneration. Therapeutic exercise and massage allow you to normalize the distribution of the load on the spine to reduce pain when walking.
Folk remedies for osteoporosis are ineffective. A decoction of comfrey is used in addition to drug therapy in order to improve the absorption of calcium.
For hip fractures or severe knee injuries, joint replacement surgery may be indicated. The intervention is associated with a number of risks, therefore, it is carried out only in exceptional cases.
How best to treat osteoporosis in men, you need to ask your doctor, as in each case, different drugs may be required, depending on the causes of the disease.
Preventive measures
Knowing why men after 40 years of age can develop osteoporosis, you should figure out how to prevent the appearance of this pathology.
The main methods of preventing osteoporosis in men:
- balanced diet;
- rejection of bad habits;
- regular moderate physical activity;
- annual survey;
- timely treatment of chronic diseases.
Men over 40 years of age should definitely be examined by a urologist every year. This is because a sharp decrease in testosterone levels can adversely affect bone density, so everything should be identified and corrected in a timely manner.
In all young people, bone mass reaches its maximum by the age of twenty. Their density and quality characteristics will depend on nutrition, heredity, lifestyle, and the work of the endocrine glands. Malnutrition and low calcium intake during childhood and adolescence, and low testosterone levels in adults are the main cause of low bone density in men.
Rheumatoid arthritis contributes to the development of osteoporosis due to the nature of the therapy used.
The main content of bone tissue is calcium and phosphorus. They give the bones hardness and density. Violation of metabolic processes and diseases of the endocrine system lead to insufficient absorption of minerals from the intestines. This cause leads to the development of osteoporosis. The lack of calcium and phosphorus can be associated with any pathologies that develop in the body.
Osteoporosis is a decrease in bone density, which leads to a decrease in their strength, which increases the likelihood of fractures. The disease proceeds almost imperceptibly, so you need to know all the factors that lead to its development. Prevention and timely treatment of osteoporosis will help strengthen bones and stop the course of the disease. The development of osteoporosis in men occurs due to a lack of calcium in the body. There are many reasons that contribute to a decrease in bone mineralization.
When can men develop osteoporosis?
Most often, the disease affects people with unfavorable heredity. Osteoporosis can be primary and secondary. Primary osteoporosis most often develops in the elderly and senile age due to the general extinction of all biochemical processes in the human body.
In men, secondary osteoporosis is most often observed, the development of which is associated with the course of some kind of disease and the use of drugs that wash calcium out of the body or block its absorption from the intestines. This can be facilitated by:
- chronic renal and hepatic insufficiency;
- hyperthyroidism;
- rickets;
- malabsorption;
- development of malignant neoplasms;
- rheumatoid arthritis;
- hormonal disorders;
- taking corticosteroids;
- abuse of barbiturates;
- the use of anticonvulsants;
- continuous use of thyroid hormone preparations;
- coffee abuse;
- excessive alcohol consumption and smoking.
Genetic factors play an important role in the development of the disease. They determine bone density, the synthesis of vitamin D and some types of collagen in the body. All these processes are important for the proper formation of the bone structure. Genetic disorders lead to a deficiency of estrogen receptors and leptins.
Osteoporosis and hypogonadism are linked by a cause-and-effect relationship. An excess of estrogens and a deficiency of testosterone leads to a negative impact on the process of natural bone tissue renewal. Restriction of testosterone production due to any reason leads to accelerated destruction of the bone structure with delayed restoration.
Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis are also inseparable. Decalcification begins to develop following treatment with glucocorticoids. In this disease, all men have low bone mineral density and permanent bone loss. Its rarefaction affects both spongy and compact bone, and this does not depend on the age of the patient. The longer a person has rheumatoid arthritis, the more severe the symptoms of osteoporosis become.
Symptoms of osteoporosis
Symptoms of osteoporosis include changes in gait, reduced height, and curvature of the thoracic spine. With hormonal causes, the development of osteoporosis may indicate sexual dysfunction and a change in the size of the testicles.
Symptoms that should alert a man are the appearance of heaviness in the interscapular region and general muscle weakness. After that, pain appears in the lumbar, sacral spine and ankle. At first, the pain is not strong and is periodic. Then it intensifies. This is due to the deformation of several adjacent vertebrae, which compress the nerve fibers. Then the pain becomes strong and constant.
Osteoporosis in men is constantly progressing, and the bone tissue becomes more and more porous. There is severe back pain, which is of a long-term nature. This sign indicates the deformation of several adjacent vertebrae, which compress the nerve fibers.
Pain and bone deformity are symptoms that appear at that stage of the disease, when the bones of the skeleton begin to break from the slightest load, which had previously been commonplace. Men ignore the manifestation of these symptoms until a fracture occurs, which leads to disability. Rheumatoid arthritis has similar pain symptoms, and patients attribute them to the underlying disease.
Diagnosis of osteoporosis in men
Rheumatologists conduct early diagnostics in their patients, identifying systemic disorders of bone mineral density. Diagnostic studies are carried out to study the state of the spongy and compact bone substance. When diagnosing osteoporosis, the doctor excludes osteoarticular tuberculosis and the development of oncological diseases that make the bones brittle.
For this, a study of bone tissue is carried out, which is taken for analysis using the trepanobiopsy method. The general and biochemical analysis of blood with osteoporosis remains normal, and with tuberculosis in the general analysis of blood there is an increased number of leukocytes. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate increases. In a biochemical blood test, an increase in C-reactive protein is observed.
Examination of the patient with the help of scintigraphy, computed or magnetic resonance imaging, X-ray examination allows to determine the development of osteoporosis with a sufficiently high accuracy and distinguish it from other diseases.
Often in men, the development of osteoporosis is diagnosed after a fracture of the spine or hip. Osteoporosis should be diagnosed if a man has:
- age over 70;
- fractures not associated with trauma;
- long-term use of glucocorticoids;
- manifestation of signs of osteopenia during x-ray examination;
- hypogonadism;
- hyperparathyroidism;
- rheumatoid arthritis;
- the presence of other factors that can lead to impaired bone metabolism.
Treatment of osteoporosis
Treat this disease with medications that improve bone mineral density. These include calcium and phosphorus preparations, vitamins A, B, C, E, D. A diet rich in organic calcium and phosphorus helps maintain bone health at the right level.
The choice of therapy for osteoporosis depends on what symptoms are observed, and treatment depends on the reasons for which it began to develop. If there is a history of diseases of the endocrine system or rheumatoid arthritis, glucocorticoid therapy is prescribed. To it is added therapy aimed at the treatment of osteoporosis. The use of calcium and vitamin D supplements in combination with bisphosphonates prevents the development of symptoms of osteoporosis in the presence of these diseases.
If a person takes anticonvulsants, then in addition to calcium and vitamin D, he is prescribed bisphosphonates.
Low testosterone levels are treated with hormonal preparations that contain this androgen.
The use of hormone replacement therapy in men improves bone mass and strengthens it. Stopping smoking and alcohol, especially beer, reduces the risk of osteoporosis, because these substances strongly affect the endocrine system and disrupt its work.
Prevention of osteoporosis is very important for men, since the consequences of the resulting fractures of the femur in men are much more severe than in women. Hospital mortality after hip fractures in men is 2 times higher. Fatal cases during the first year after a fracture of large bones and the spine occur in half of the men, while women die from it in two cases out of ten. Mortality from osteoporosis is due to the appearance of concomitant diseases: bedsores, gangrene, sepsis. More than half of men who have suffered hip fractures become disabled. They cannot move independently and are in severe pain.
In order for bones to be dense, it is necessary to ensure the intake of a sufficient amount of easily digestible calcium with vitamin D. at other times of the year. This can achieve the regulation of the mineral content in the bones and their normal density. Timely visits to the doctor and preventive examinations will help to recognize the disease in time and prevent its development.
Affected men, in the age category over 35-40 years.
In the male half of the population, by the age of 20, the indicators of bone density and mass are maximum.
Recognizing osteoporosis is very difficult, since this disease may not manifest itself for years.
But there are signs by which it is simply impossible not to suspect the occurrence of this disease in the body.
What is osteoporosis?
In a healthy body, mineral exchange occurs between the blood and bone tissue that makes up the human skeleton. In this case, the bone tissue receives the elements it needs: calcium and phosphorus.
Osteoporosis is a pathological disease in which the mineral exchange between the blood and bone tissue is disturbed, while only the “emptying” of the calcium and phosphorus reserves in the bones occurs.
The density and mass of the bones of the whole body begin to decrease, which leads to an increase in bone fragility. Fractures can occur due to the minimum load on them.
Note! Osteoporosis usually develops very slowly. From the moment the disease develops to the manifestation of its symptoms, it can take from 10 to 15 years.
Sometimes this disease is also called bone thinning. Especially increases risk of osteoporosis in men over the age of 50. This is due to a decrease in male sex hormones, which also negatively affects bone mass.
Causes and consequences of osteoporosis in men
Causes of osteoporosis in men are::
- the intake of an insufficient amount of calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D;
- insufficient testosterone levels (a drop in the amount of testosterone in the male body is called hypogonadism in medicine. Normally, the level of this hormone should be 300 ng / dl);
- sedentary lifestyle;
- complicated course of other diseases;
- taking medications that can affect bone metabolism;
- unbalanced diet;
- chronic pathologies of the kidneys, as well as the liver;
- prostate cancer (a group of drugs for the treatment of this disease - antagonists, cause a decrease in bone density);
- abuse of coffee, alcohol and smoking (nicotine adversely affects bone cells - osteocytes);
- rickets;
- arthritis;
- osteoarticular tuberculosis;
- long-term treatment with drugs of the glucocorticoid group.
With an increase in the porosity of the bones, the probability of obtaining a fracture of any bone of the skeleton with a minimum load increases.
In osteoporosis, any sudden movement can cause a fracture.. After the first fracture in any part of the body, the risk of each subsequent injury of this nature increases several times. A significant role in this is played by age-related disorders of coordination of movements. Elderly people often fall, which is a prerequisite for the occurrence of bone fractures.
If the first fracture has already been obtained, it is very important to pay attention to the prevention of the occurrence of subsequent fractures. In both male and female populations, fractures of the proximal femur can be fatal.
Video: "How to recognize osteoporosis?"
Features of the course of the disease in men
Men are less likely to develop osteoporosis than women. Experts explain this by the fact that the male lifestyle is more active than the female one, and also by the fact that the female hormonal background is more prone to disruption.
Symptoms that may suggest the occurrence of osteoporosis in men are the following::
- decrease in growth by 2 cm for one year;
- increase in stoop;
- feeling of heaviness in the area between the shoulder blades;
- general muscle weakness;
- the occurrence of fractures caused by a small load on the bone or minor trauma (for example, a fall from a height of one's own height, a slight blow to an object);
- the occurrence of pain in the bones;
- decreased mobility in the shoulder and hip joints;
- decrease in endurance.
Gradually, with the development of pathology, pain begins to occur in the lumbar spine, then in the sacral. As the disease progresses, pain begins to appear in the ankle.
Note! Actively progressing osteoporosis can cause deformation of the vertebrae - this leads to pinching or damage to the spinal nerves and blood vessels and causes severe back pain.
Men often attribute their symptoms to other back conditions and waste valuable time in identifying and treating osteoporosis.
Features of the treatment of osteoporosis in men
And did you know that…
Next fact
After a man contacts a specialist, the doctor must establish an accurate diagnosis, exclude or identify concomitant diseases, and then prescribe the necessary treatment to the patient. Rheumatologists treat osteoporosis.
To detect osteoporosis, examinations are used using the following methods:
- Trepanobiopsy - this procedure is a bone marrow sampling by puncturing the bone with a specially designed needle.
- Scintigraphy - allows you to get a two-dimensional image and is performed after the introduction of radioactive isotopes into the body.
- A general and biochemical blood test (allows you to find out if osteoporosis is caused by bone tuberculosis. If tuberculosis is the cause of bone thinning, the white blood cell count will be significantly overestimated).
- The level of testosterone in the blood.
For the treatment of osteoporosis, patients are prescribed:
- calcium preparations ("Calcitonin");
- taking vitamin D (“Calcium-D3 Nycomed”);
- nutrition with a regulated amount of calcium (from 1000 to 1500 mg per day);
- prolonged exposure to the street on sunny days (sunbathing contributes to the production of vitamin D);
- bisphosphonates - drugs that prevent bone loss (Zoledronate, Bodronate, Tiludronate);
- hormonal drugs - their administration is aimed at increasing testosterone levels in patients ("Osteomed").
play an important role in the treatment of bone thinning moderate exercise. Bone mass also increases due to an increase in the number of contractions of the muscles surrounding the musculoskeletal system of the body. But it is important to ensure that the loads are not excessive.
All exercises should be as simple as possible and performed without much effort.
And to increase the number of muscle contractions, it is enough to increase the number of repetitions of the treatment complex. The total time of one workout should be about half an hour daily. Sometimes you can allow to do 1-2 times a week rest between classes.
The treatment complex in each individual case is developed by a specialist in exercise therapy. Exercises must be performed under his supervision to avoid accidental injury to the patient or sudden fractures.
Exercises containing twisting or flexion elements should not be performed to the maximum capacity of the patient.
Minimal twists or bends are enough - the main thing in the treatment of this disease is not effort, but specifically the number of executions.
Additionally, patients can be prescribed massage (it is performed by a chiropractor), as well as physiotherapy procedures.
Note! With liquefied bones, men are strictly prohibited from hard physical work. Even heavy lifting can lead to unexpected bone fractures.
Video: "The Importance of Exercise in Osteoporosis"
Conclusion
Patients with a diagnosis osteoporosis it is extremely important to lead a healthy lifestyle, give up bad habits, introduce small daily physical activity. Experts have proven that moderate sports activity and regular therapeutic exercises contribute to the recovery of patients.
However, this recovery will definitely not be quick. Treatment of osteoporosis is a very complex process. and here everything depends not so much on the doctors as on the men themselves. After all, they choose the right lifestyle for themselves. This disease is easier to prevent than to cure. Therefore, men who have the prerequisites for the development of bone tissue thinning must be examined at least once a year.
Comprehensive treatment of osteoporosis, as well as concomitant diseases, if any, a change in lifestyle and compliance with all the recommendations of a specialist will make it possible to restore bone density and prevent the re-development of osteoporosis. The therapeutic complex of exercises should be performed under the supervision of a specialist or solely on his recommendations. To do this, you need to contact the office of physical therapy.
To prevent osteoporosis Experts advise a healthy lifestyle maintain a balanced diet and regularly engage in moderate exercise.
