Osteomalacia

Osteomalacia occurs when the skeleton does not perform calcification (also called mineralization) as usual. Rickets in children are also a manifestation of this condition.

Sunlight helps create vitamin D
(Photo: ibiblio)

Bone tissue is composed of a protein block, which deposits calcium and phosphorus salts. In normal people, about 10% of bone area is regularly renewed by two processes of bone resorption and bone formation.

The balance between these two processes depends on the following factors: parathyroid hormone (keeping calcium and phosphorus levels constant), vitamin D (mobilizing calcium in the bones and increasing blood calcium levels, increasing digestion excretion of phosphorus through the urine, reduced blood phosphorus) and pituitary growth hormone (controlling bone growth in length and thickness).

Lack of vitamin D (due to eating, intestinal absorption or metabolic disorders), renal acidosis (kidney failure), some diseases such as hypoparathyroidism . are the causes of osteomalacia. .

If only mild-grade osteomalacia is present, the clinical symptoms are very poor and often overlooked as rickets in children. At severe levels, patients find bone pain, muscle weakness, sometimes the spine seems to be cornered, bent, reducing the height of the patient. In the late stages, the level of pain increases, the movements become more difficult. There may be gastrointestinal disorders due to poor absorption, the muscles become weak, even paralyzed due to hypokalemia. Bone horns in children will cause babies to be low, causing physical and health disadvantages later on.

Children with signs such as slow growth compared to children of the same age, little hair, sweating, slow teething . need to visit the specialist of pediatric nutrition. There, doctors will assess the level of rickets in children and have indications of adjustment by eating and medication if necessary.

The current treatment for osteomalacia is to use high doses of vitamin D and find out the cause for recovery. The osteomalacia has a gradual change, so the subjective person does not go to check, often comes to the hospital when it is late, making it difficult for treatment. Therefore, children need regular checkups, while adults with signs of bone pain, fatigue need to go to a doctor.

To prevent osteomalacia, drink milk regularly, eat enough nutrients. Many studies show that daily sunbathing for about 30 minutes at 7-8 am will significantly increase vitamin D. Health exercise methods also help the body reduce the risk of this disease.

Doctor Pham Thanh Tinh