Osteomalacia and rickets are characterized by the softening of the bones due to a lack of vitamin D or a problem with the body's ability to break down and use vitamin D. (In adults the condition is usually referred to as osteomalacia while in children it is commonly called rickets.) The bones of people suffering from osteomalacia have a normal amount of collagen but lack the proper amount of calcium needed for healthy bones.
The most common causes of osteomalacia and rickets are:
Calcium With Vitamin D
Insufficient sunlight- which produces vitamin D in the body Not enough vitamin D in the diet from fish or fortified foods Malabsorption of vitamin D by the intestines
Continuous use of very strong sunscreen; living in northern countries where there is low radiation from the sun in the winter; and continuous exposure to heavy smog all reduce the formation of vitamin D in the body and can lead to osteomalacia.
Other conditions that may cause osteomalacia include:
Cancer
Hereditary or acquired disorders of vitamin D metabolism
Kidney failure and acidosis
Liver disease
Phosphate depletion associated with not enough phosphates in the diet
Side effects of medications used to treat seizures
OSTEOMALACIA SYMPTOMS
The symptoms associated with osteomalcia and rickets are very similar to those experienced by people with osteoporosis. Bones may fracture easily and there may be widespread bone pain (especially in the hips) and sufferers may also experience muscle weakness. Low calcium levels which may also cause abnormal heart rhythms, numbness around the mouth, numbness in the arms and legs and spasms in the hands or feet.
OSTEOMALACIA TESTS
There are a number of tests to determine if a person has osteomalacia.
Blood tests: used to check vitamin D, creatinine, calcium and phosphate levels
Bone density tests (DXA): help to detect fractures, bone loss and bone softening
Bone biopsy: can reveal bone softening
ALP (alkaline phosphatase) isoenzyme and PTH tests: may be used to determine if there is a kidney problem or other underlying disorder.
OSTEOMALACIA AND RICKETS TREATMENT
Treatment for osteomalacia usually involves oral vitamin D, calcium, and phosphorus supplements. Larger doses of vitamin D and calcium may be needed for people who cannot properly absorb nutrients into the intestines. Your doctor may wish to conduct regular blood tests to monitor blood levels of phosphorus and calcium if there is an underlying condition causing the osteomalacia. When a vitamin D deficiency is the primarily cause of the osteomalacia, improvements can often be seen within a few weeks.
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Dec 13, 2011 02:04:33
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