Osteomalacia
Drink your orange juice! Sunlight, orange juice and vitamin D milk all contain vitamin D which helps give strength to the bones. Without proper amounts of vitamin D your bones can become weaker due to the softening of the bone. This disease is called Osteomalacia.
Osteomalacia is a bone disease caused by softening of the bones due to a lack of vitamin D or a problem with the body's ability to break down and use this vitamin. Osteo- means bone and -malacia means abnormal softening. The softer bones in Osteomalacia have a normal amount of collagen, which gives the bones its structure. However, they lack the proper amount of calcium. In children this disease is called rickets.
Some causes of Osteomalacia are due to lack of vitamin D in your diet, using heavy sunscreens which block healthy amounts of sunlight to be absorbed by your body, and having an abnormality in your body that doesn’t absorb and break down vitamin D very well. Also, Osteomalacia can occur due to side effects of some medications used to treat seizures. Osteomalacia is common in elderly individuals who do not drink milk.
Signs and symptoms of Osteomalacia include fractures of bones that happen without injuries, muscle weakness, and pain in bones throughout the body, especially the hips. A deficiency in calcium along with a deficiency in vitamin D can also lead to signs and symptoms such as numbness around the mouth, numbness of the arms and legs, and spasms of the hands and feet. Certain tests can be done when signs of Osteomalacia pop up. Tests such as blood tests are done to check vitamin D, calcium, and phosphate levels. Getting a bone biopsy will show bone softening and bone x-rays and bone density tests can detect places of possible fractures, bone loss, and bone softening.
Osteomalacia diagnosis is increase vitamin D intake and treatment may involve vitamin D, calcium, and phosphorus supplements to be taken by mouth. People who cannot properly absorb nutrients through