Dealing with Paget's Disease: What it is and How You Can Prevent or Treat It

There are over 100 different kinds of arthritic conditions that exist, and one of these conditions is a very debilitating disorder called Paget's disease. This type of arthritis usually affects patients who are in their later years in life, between the ages of 50 and 70 years old. Paget's disease is a chronic skeletal condition that's similar to osteoarthritis. In fact, sometimes it's actually misdiagnosed due to this similarity. This disease can be painful and make living life hard, but there are some things you can do to prevent this disease from happening, as well as treatments you can take if you're just starting to get or already have the disease.

With Paget's disease, you'll have an enlarged, deformed bone structure in at least one part of your body. The pelvic area, skull, back, and legs are the most common areas affected by the disease. You can experience high levels of arthritic pain and even suffer hearing loss. The bones of Paget's disease sufferers are fragile and can fracture easily.

There's no single cause for this condition, but Paget's disease can occur when there's an overproduction of the enzyme SAP in the bones, causing it to grow abnormally and start to weaken. Measuring SAP is what doctors do to determine if the pain you're experiencing is due to Paget's disease, even if there are other signs present like bowed limbs. SAP is often measured with a blood test, and doctor's will also use SAP level readings to track how you're reacting to different forms of treatment for the condition.

The two types of drugs that have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat Paget's are bisphosponates and calcitonin. Some doctors may actually recommend surgery for fractures or extreme deformities, and there are also alternative medical treatments that can help patients cope with the pain of Paget's. These alternative treatments include massage, cupping, acupuncture, medication, and exercises from the East like yoga.

Whatever kind of treatment you get, it's crucial you stay positive during the process. Paget's disease can be extremely painful but it is possible for patients to live a good life even while suffering from the condition. In addition to the information you can get from your doctor or physician, the Internet can also help you learn everything you can about Paget's and keep up with new medications and treatments to keep you healthy and take good care of your body.