Introduction
Osteomalacia is a soft bone that is caused due to deficiency of vitamin D. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium, which helps maintain the bones' strength. Osteomalacia is a bone condition that weakens bones and makes them break more easily. This condition is caused due to reduced rate of mineralization where the breaking of bone occurs faster than it is being reformed. The risk factor for this condition is aged people over the age of 50 to 80 years. If a deficiency of vitamin D occurs in children, it results in rickets.
Why Does the Bone Structure Become Soft?
Bone is a living structure where the old dead cells are eliminated and replaced by new cells. This process is called bone turnover. The outer covering of the bone is called a shell, and within the bone structure, a soft and lighter structure called the matrix is present. This structure resembles a honeycomb or a mesh structure. To protect the inner structure of the bone, calcium and phosphorus are deposited on the outer layer to form the shell. The strength of the bone depends on how many minerals are deposited on the shell. Vitamin D helps absorb calcium and maintains calcium and phosphorus levels. If the body does not contain the required calcium and phosphorus, the bone gets weak and tends to break faster.
What Are the Causes of Osteomalacia?
The leading cause of osteomalacia is vitamin D deficiency which is required for the absorption of calcium which is responsible for the strength of the bones. Lack of proper amount of calcium in the blood can result in weakness of the bone. Vitamin D is absorbed from the diet or through the skin from the sunlight. People who experience vitamin D deficiency are
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Surviving in a place with reduced sunlight.
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People who stay indoors.
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People who work indoors during the daytime.
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People wear cloth that covers most of their skin.
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People have dark-skinned complexions.
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People who wear strong sunscreen.
People do not get the required vitamin D from their diet if
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The person is lactose intolerant and cannot digest milk products.
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People who do not take milk products.
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People who follow a vegetarian diet.
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Not able to absorb vitamin D from the food due to some underlying cause like post gastric bypass surgery or some gastrointestinal condition.
Other conditions that can result in osteomalacia are
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Cancerous tumors, which can result in reduced kidney phosphate levels.
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Kidney failure or liver condition, as these organs are responsible for the activation of vitamin D. Any issues in the kidney or liver can impact the body in making active vitamin D.
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Acidosis.
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Lack of phosphate in the diet.
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A liver condition where vitamin D is not converted into its active form.
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Side effects of seizure medications.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms Associated With Osteomalacia?
Some common symptoms are
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Bone weakness.
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Bone fractures.
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Muscle weakness.
Symptoms associated with calcium deficiency are
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The sensation of numbness around the mouth.
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The sensation of numbness or tingling effect in the arms and legs.
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Cramps of hands or feet.
How Is Calcium Related to Bone Health?
Calcium is essential to maintain the strength of bone health; lack of calcium can result in weakness of bone and can cause bone fracture easily. But people can get the required amount of calcium through a proper diet, so not only calcium deficiency is the main reason for osteomalacia. The proper amount of calcium can be obtained from various food; some are
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Dairy products like milk, cheese, etc.
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Green leaf vegetables such as cabbage, broccoli, etc. Spinach is better to avoid.
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Soya beans.
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Nuts, tofu, and bread.
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Fish.
What Is the Diagnostic Method of Osteomalacia?
Doctors recommend some tests to diagnose this condition. Some are:
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The main symptom of this condition is a reduced vitamin D level, but reduced calcium and phosphate levels can also result in this condition. A blood test will be recommended, which is used to check the levels of
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Vitamin D.
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Creatinine.
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Calcium.
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Phosphate.
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Electrolyte.
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Alkaline phosphatase.
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Parathyroid hormone level.
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X-rays are recommended to see for the presence of osteomalacia.
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A bone density scan is recommended to evaluate the amount of calcium and minerals in the bone. This procedure will not give any information about the osteomalacia condition but will help to know about the person's bone health.
How Is Osteomalacia Managed?
Osteomalacia is caused due to deficiency of vitamin D, calcium, and phosphorus. So people affected with this condition can take vitamin D, calcium, and phosphorous supplements. People with problems absorbing these vitamins through the intestine may require larger amounts of these nutrients. Other treatment methods used to manage this condition are
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Use of braces to reduce or prevent irregularities of bone.
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In very severe cases, surgery is performed to correct the bone irregularities.
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Adequate sun exposure.
What Is the Prognosis of Osteomalacia?
People affected by this condition due to vitamin deficiency will show good results in a few weeks of vitamin supplements. Along with treatment and supplements, healing should take place within six months. One main complication of this condition is that the signs and symptoms can reoccur.
How Can Osteomalacia Be Prevented?
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Osteomalacia can be prevented if the person follows a proper diet, which includes all required vitamins and nutrients.
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Proper exposure to sunlight, one of the primary sources of vitamin D.
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Intake of alcohol in moderation.
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Quit smoking.
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Regular exercise or any physical activity.
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Maintaining proper weight.
How Can Exercise Help With Osteomalacia?
Regular exercise or physical activity helps to strengthen the bones and muscles, especially weight-bearing exercise. Those exercises or physical activities that place resistance again the muscle will strengthen the muscles. Some activities include walking, jogging, running, or lifting weights. Any intensive exercise or activities should be avoided while any cracks or fractures are in the healing process.
Conclusion
Osteomalacia is a bone-related condition where the bone gets weakened and tends to break easily due to a vitamin D deficiency, calcium, and phosphate deficiency. This condition is usually seen in older adults. This condition can be treated through intake or proper diet, supplements, and regular exercise.
