Bone pain and weakness: What you need to know about Osteomalacia?

Do you sometimes feel aches and pains in your body? Especially in your hips, thighs, and legs? Do you feel tired even after doing small tasks, or do you find it difficult to walk? Although you may think that these things are normal fatigue, they could be a sign of a problem with your bones. Today we are talking about such a condition, 'Osteomalacia,' which commonly affects adults.

Simply put, what is osteomalacia?

Osteomalacia is a condition in which your bones become soft and weak. This makes them more likely to break. Just like a piece of wood that has been well-maintained for a long time becomes old and brittle and breaks with even the slightest pressure, our bones lose their strength.

The main reason for this is Vitamin D deficiency . Vitamin D is essential for our body to absorb minerals called Calcium and Phosphorous. This calcium and phosphorus are what give our bones strength and hardness. So, when we don't have enough Vitamin D, our bones don't become strong enough. This is the basis for the condition of osteomalacia.

At first, you may not notice it as a big deal. But over time, you may start to feel pain in your bones, especially in your lower body. Eventually, your whole body may feel sore. Even doing normal activities can be painful. But remember, you don't have to live with this pain. You can see your doctor to find out the cause and get treatment.

What are the symptoms of osteomalacia?

The main and most common symptom of this condition is bone pain. This pain is most often felt in the hips, pelvis, and legs. Apart from that, there may be several other symptoms. Let's see what they are.

Why does osteomalacia develop? What are the risk factors?

As we discussed earlier, the main cause is vitamin D deficiency. This can be caused by many factors.

1. Not getting enough sun exposure

When our skin is exposed to sunlight, it can naturally produce vitamin D. But for some reasons, this doesn't happen properly.

• Living in a country with less sunlight: Although we have less of this problem in Sri Lanka, those living in cold climates do not get enough sunlight.
• Working indoors all day: If you're someone who stays indoors all day, in an office or at home, you may not get enough sun exposure.
• Wearing clothing that completely covers the skin: People who wear clothing that completely covers the skin for religious or other reasons can also develop vitamin D deficiency.
• Darkening of the skin: When there is too much melanin, the pigment that causes skin to darken, the ability to produce vitamin D from sunlight is slightly reduced.

2. Not getting enough vitamin D from food

• Avoiding milk and dairy products: Some people may be allergic to or dislike milk.
• Following a completely vegan diet: Not eating foods rich in vitamin D, such as fish, meat, and eggs, can lead to a deficiency.
• Digestive system diseases: Malabsorption conditions, such as Crohn's disease or Celiac disease.
• Weight loss surgeries: After surgeries like gastric bypass surgery, food absorption decreases.

3. Other risk factors

• Kidney or liver conditions.
• Some medications used for diseases such as epilepsy (Antiseizure medications).
• Being over 65 years of age.
• Being a pregnant or breastfeeding mother.
• Obesity.

How does a doctor accurately diagnose this disease?

When you go to see a doctor with the symptoms you mentioned above, he will first ask you about your medical history, family medical history, your diet, and your activities. Then he will perform a physical examination.

Several tests need to be done to confirm the disease.

What are the treatments for this?

The main treatment for this is to give supplements containing vitamin D, calcium, and phosphorus. But it is not good to take these as you feel like it. Your doctor will look at your blood test results and recommend the exact dosage you need. It is very important to take that dosage exactly as it is.

After starting these supplements, it may take several months for symptoms to subside. It may take up to six months for bones to become strong again. So, be patient and take treatment. Depending on the condition, you may need to take vitamin D for a long time. If you stop taking the supplement, the disease may return.

Other treatments:

• Get enough sun exposure: Ask your doctor and stay in the sun for an appropriate amount of time at a time that is right for you.
• Eating foods rich in vitamin D and calcium.
• Braces: If there are bone deformities, these can be used to reduce and prevent them.
• Surgery: In very severe cases, surgery may be required to correct bone deformities.

What can we do to avoid this situation?

Yes, most of the time we can prevent this situation. There are two main things we need to do.

1. Getting enough sun exposure.

2. Getting enough vitamin D and calcium from food.

Generally, a person with fair skin should be in the sun for 10-15 minutes two or three times a week. People with darker skin should stay in the sun a little longer. This should not be sunlight coming from windows, but sunlight that hits the skin directly . But don't stay in the sun for hours without sunglasses or sunscreen. That increases the risk of skin cancer. It's best to ask your doctor how long you should stay in the sun.

Foods rich in vitamin D:

• Oily fish like salmon, tuna, mackerel, and sardines
• Red meat
• Beef liver
• Egg yolk
• Mushrooms
• Cod liver oil
• Foods with vitamin D added (fortified) such as milk, yogurt, and cheese

If your doctor thinks you're not getting enough vitamin D from sunlight and food, he or she will recommend a supplement.

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