Identifying and Treating Osteomalacia

Osteomalacia is a health issue that is characterized by the weakening of the bones of the body. The root cause of the condition is a lack of Vitamin D in the body, leading to the softening of bone tissue. When diagnosed in children, the condition is normally referred to as rickets.

There is sometimes confusion between osteomalacia and osteoporosis, since both conditions have to do with a weakened bone structure. While the results are similar, the two conditions develop very differently. Osteoporosis results when existing bone tissue is weakened due to a lack of nutrients. In contrast, osteomalacia comes about when there is some sort of interruption in the normal process of building new bone tissue.

The development of osteomalacia often comes about because the individual is not getting an equitable amount of exposure to sunlight. Natural light promotes the production of Vitamin D in the skin, which in turn helps to promote the processing of calcium from the diet.

Celiac disease can also cause the small intestine to not absorb nutrients properly, thus preventing the body from getting an adequate supply of Vitamin D through food consumption or the taking of nutritional supplements. In like manner, a kidney or liver disorder may also prevent the body from absorbing Vitamin D and calcium properly. There is also some evidence that the use of prescription medications such as phenytoin or phenobarbital can also lead to the development of osteomalacia.

In most cases, there are no apparent symptoms in the early stages of osteomalacia. As the disorder continues to develop, the individual is likely to begin experiencing some discomfort in the legs, pelvic area, and the lower back. The pain gradually takes the form of a dull ache that is not relieved with the use of heat or cold, or the use of any type of over the counter medication.

Along with the dull ache, the individual is also likely to begin noticing that muscle tone in the legs and arms is beginning to weaken, and that the arms and legs tire more quickly, even when performing routine tasks. As the condition progresses, it may become hard to move around normally, making even tasks like getting out of bed or rising from a chair very difficult to accomplish without assistance.

Blood tests can be used to determine if the levels of Vitamin D and calcium in the body are too low. When that is the case, the physician will tend to make sure there is no health issue impacting the function of the digestive system, the small intestine, the liver, and the kidney. In any event, nutritional supplements will be used to increase Vitamin D and calcium levels back to a normal range. Depending on the degree of depletion, it may take anywhere from a few weeks to several months to reverse the lack of Vitamin D and allow the bone tissue to develop normally once more.