DEAR DR. K: My doctor says I need to worry about osteoporosis. I’m a man in my 60s. Doesn’t osteoporosis affect mostly women?
(This column is an update of one that ran originally in October 2012.)
DEAR READER: Osteoporosis is a disease that weakens bones. You’re correct that women are more likely than men to develop osteoporosis, but that doesn’t mean men don’t have to worry about it.
When men under age 75 develop osteoporosis, it’s often because of treatment with certain drugs that cause it as a side effect, or because they have other medical conditions that weaken bone. For example:
‘ Medications: Glucocorticoid use is one of the most common causes of secondary osteoporosis; they are used to reduce inflammation caused by asthma, arthritis and a variety of other conditions. Anticonvulsants and certain cancer treatments also increase risk.