Page 10 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, JUnE 26, 2026 Sa Sa a Two Saugus Youth Soccer teams win at Essex County Championships Say y Senior enior Sen by Jim Miller Do Men Get Osteoporosis? Dear Savvy Senior, Can men get osteoporosis or is it mostly a problem for women? When I fell and broke my wrist last winter, the ER doctor told me I might have osteoporosis, but I never followed up. What can you tell me? --Almost 70 Dear Almost, A lot of people think osteoporosis is only a women’s issue, but men can get it too – especially as they get older. And like women, men often don’t realize they have it until a bone breaks. Osteoporosis is often called The G6 Boys Strikers. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate) a silent disease because it weakens bones over time, making them thin, brittle and more likely to break, usually without any warning signs. While women are about four times more likely to develop it, men aren’t immune. About 2 million American men have osteoporosis, and another 12 million have low bone density, known as osteopenia, which can eventually progress to the disease. One of the biggest problems is that men are less likely to be tested. Even after a fracture like yours, many never get a bone density scan. Doctors sometimes overlook it in men, and men themselves may not realize they’re at risk. The bones most often aff ected are the hip, spine and wrist, and hip fractures in particular can lead to serious complications and long recoveries. The G8 Boys Renegade. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate) (Editor’s Note: This article was submitted by Saugus Youth Soccer Association G6 Age Director Vanessa Millerick.) F ollowing a successful Spring Soccer season that saw our Travel soccer teams win over 70 percent of the games they played and send 40 percent of our eligible teams to the Essex County Championships, we are beyond proud to recognize our two ECYSA Championship teams!!! The G6 Boys Strikers opened their season with a loss to Winthrop but bounced back to win their next 10 matches. The team was led by a stout defense, spectacular goal keeping and timely goal scoring. With the exception of week one, the team never allowed more than 2 goals in a game and ended the season with a thrilling 3-2 win over Wakefi eld on Sunday morning. This team was truly defi ned by its camaraderie, work ethic and team fi rst attitude. The G8 Boys Renegade put together one of the most dominant seasons we have seen in a while. Paced by a high-fl ying off ense that saw the team average over 4 goals a game and concede less than 2 goals per game, they posted a record of 10 wins and 1 draw that culminated in a thrilling shootout victory over Ipswich Sunday morning. The Renegade will now advance to represent Saugus in the Massachusetts Tournament of Champions in Lancaster next weekend. We are beyond proud of what all our teams accomplished this season and are looking forward to starting up again in August for the fall season. Registration is open until June 26. Who is at risk In women, menopause speeds up bone loss. In men, it usually happens more gradually, but age is still a major factor. Your risk rises if you are over 70, thin or underweight, smoke, drink heavily, have a parent with osteoporosis or have already broken a bone, as you have. Certain medical conditions can also increase your risk. These include rheumatoid arthritis, celiac disease, low testosterone, overactive thyroid, COPD and kidney or liver disease. Neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis or a past stroke can raise the risk because they aff ect balance and mobility. Long term use of corticosteroids, some prostate cancer treatments, acid refl ux drugs, antidepressants and anti-seizure medications can weaken bones too. Testing A smart next step is a bone density test. All men 70 and older should talk to their doctor about being screened. Men over 50 who’ve had a fracture or have other risk factors should get tested too. The scan is simple, painless and takes only a few minutes. Medicare and most private insurance plans usually cover it. Prevention When it comes to protecting your bones, the basics really matter. Get enough calcium from foods like low fat milk, yogurt and cheese, leafy green vegetables, beans, almonds and canned salmon or sardines. Men under 70 need about 1,000 milligrams a day. Those 71 and older need 1,200 milligrams. Vitamin D is just as important because it helps your body absorb calcium. Most adults over 50 need 800 to 1,000 international units daily, through sunlight, food or a supplement if needed. Regular weight bearing exercise such as walking, along with strength training two or three times a week, helps build and maintain bone. It also improves balance, which can prevent falls. You should also avoid smoking, and limit alcohol and caff eine. Treatment If testing shows signifi cant bone loss, medications such as Fosamax, Actonel, Reclast, Prolia, Forteo or Tymlos may be prescribed. Your doctor can explain the benefi ts and possible side eff ects and help you decide what is appropriate. Since you have already had a fracture, this is not something to ignore. A simple test and a plan now could help you stay strong and avoid a more serious break down the road. Send your questions or comments to questions@savvysenior.org, or to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070. nr ior
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