Osteomalacia is a bone disease characterized by fragile and brittle bones that in adults may predate or be confused with osteoporosis, and which in the child can cause a disease called rickets. It is usually caused by a defect in bone building but other factors are included, and your treatment may include proper nutrition, medication and sun exposure.
Osteomalacia has healing and it can be achieved by eliminating its cause, but the consequences of osteomalacia such as short stature can rarely be reversed.
Symptoms of osteomalacia
The symptoms of osteomalacia can be:
- Pain in the bones, especially in the hips;
- Muscle weakness;
- Bone fractures with no apparent cause;
Symptoms may also be related to the lack of calcium in the body, and therefore the individual may present:
- Sensation of numbness around the lips, arms or legs;
- Muscle spasms in the hands or feet.
Main causes
The causes of osteomalacia can be:
- Changes in osteoid production;
- Lack of calcium or phosphorus in the body;
- Vitamin D deficiency;
- Difficulty or inability to absorb or use vitamin D;
- Deficiency of alkaline phosphatase enzyme;
- Metabolic acidosis that changes the pH of the bone;
- Substances like aluminum and fluoride in the bones that inhibits its mineralization;
- Cancer;
- Renal insufficiency;
- Liver disease;
- Side effect of medicines used against seizures.
For the diagnosis of osteomalacia, it is necessary to perform some tests such as x-ray, mineral density and evaluation of the concentration of calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D in the body.
Treatment for osteomalacia
For the treatment of osteomalacia it is recommended to treat its cause, and this can be achieved through:
- Supplementation of calcium, phosphorus and / or vitamin D;
- Increased consumption of calcium-rich foods and foods rich in vitamin D
- Solar exposition of 15 minutes daily in the early morning, without sunscreen.
See the following video for more bone strengthening tips:
If the osteomalacia is caused by the intestinal malabsorption syndrome, this disease must be treated as well and in some cases, surgery to correct bone deformities is suggested.
