Osteoporosis is no longer a 'woman's disease'. Men are also at risk. On this World Osteoporosis Day, observed on October 20, the city doctors advise men to improve their peak bone mass by adhering to a healthy lifestyle by including regular exercise, brisk walk, balanced diet with adequate calcium and Vitamin D intake. With changing lifestyles, this silent killer, which has no sign or symptoms and is diagnosed only when a person suffers from a fracture of the bone, has also put men at risk.

Dr Mahesh Bijjawara, consultant spine surgeon at Sri Bhagawan Mahaveer Jain Hospital, says that in the past few years the prevalence of men suffering from osteoporosis has increased and now doctors are also recognising it.

The two interesting features about this disease in India are: The higher incidence among men and the low age of peak incidence as compared to western countries. The ratio of osteoporosis hip fractures is one woman:1 man in India, while in the west it is 3:1.

Besides, in most western countries, while the peak incidence of osteoporosis occurs at about 70- 80 years of age, while in India it afflicts those between 50 and 60. Although the overall prevalence of fragility fractures is higher in women, men generally are recording higher rates of fracture related mortality.

"Though there is no specific research on the cause of the disease in men, it is known that about 20 to 24 per cent of hip fracture are suffered by men and it is estimated that the lifetime risk of experiencing an osteoporosis fracture in men over the age of 50 is 30 per cent," he adds.

In aging men, wrist fractures carry a higher absolute risk for hip than spinal fracture in comparison to women. Doctors also observe that osteoporosis is largely under-diagnosed and remains untreated in the country.

Dr Upendra, a consultant spine surgeon, says that early diagnosis and treatment helps reduce the disease burden along with significant improvement in the quality of life of those who suffer from osteoporotic spinal fractures.

What is osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a disorder characterised by a decrease in the density of bone and bone mass resulting in fragile and weak bones. The bones become extremely weak or porous and prone to multiple fractures even on a slight fall.