Men face high risk of osteoporosis, yet often go undiagnosed (WISH) — Approximately 10 million Americans have osteoporosis, and another 44 million have low bone density, making bones weak and brittle. Yet nearly 80% of older Americans who suffer bone breaks are not tested or treated for ost eoporosis. While women have it more often, it’s just as dangerous for men. “It’s a silent condition,” said Dr. Christine Jablonski, director of the Bone Health and Osteoporosis Foundation for the Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute in Orlando, Florida. Osteoporosis commonly happens in the hip, wrist or spine, and is responsible for an estimated 2 million broken bones per year. “There’s low bone mass and there’s disrupted microarchitecture of the bone, which makes you more likely to break with minimal to no trauma.” Over age 50, 1 in 2 women will break a bone due to osteoporosis compared to 1 in 4 men. “It’s not even on the radar for most men or for most clinicians when they’re treating their male patients.” About 2 million American men have osteoporosis, and men older than 50 are more likely to break a bone from it than to get prostate cancer, and men are more likely than women to die within a year after breaking a hip. “After hip fracture, there’s about a 20% one-year, 20% to 30% one-year mortality, and I think it’s more quoted as more like 30% with men.” So, what can you do? “Getting enough calcium, making sure your vitamin D is optimized.” The doctor said salmon and sardines with bones as well as green leafy vegetables, dairy and tofu are all very good sources of calcium. Walking, hiking and other weight-bearing exercises, as well as muscle-strengthening activities, can build bone and improve balance. Anyone who develops those habits can have healthy bones and reduce the risk of osteoporosis. People might notice a few changes in their bodies that mean the bones are losing strength or density. The warning signs include losing an inch or more of height; changes in natural posture, like stooping or bending forward more; and lower back pain. Around 1 in 3 adults older than 50 who don’t have osteoporosis have osteopenia, which means bone density is lower than it should be for a person’s age. Osteopenia can progress to osteoporosis if it’s not treated. ...read more read less