Osteomalacia
Vitamin D is a key player in calcium absorption, and deficiency can lead to decreased calcium absorption, which can, in turn, cause bone diseases such as rickets or osteomalacia. (Nair, 2010, para. 4) Osteomalacia refers to a softening of bones that are often caused by a vitamin D deficiency which make bones more susceptible to bowing and fracturing. Osteomalacia is not the same as osteoporosis, osteomalacia results from a defect in the bone-building process, while osteoporosis develops due to a weakening of previously constructed bone. (Mayo clinic [Mayo Clinic Staff], 2014, para. 2)
The lack of vitamin D is the usual culprit when osteomalacia is being diagnosed. The low levels of vitamin D are attributed to the body not processing the calcium needed to promote adequate structural integrity needed to support movements and actions of daily living. If the body has extremely low levels of calcium symptoms like; irregular heart rhythms, numbness around the mouth, numbness in the arms/legs and spasms in the hands/feet can occur. The body uses calcium and phosphate to build strong bones; osteomalacia …show more content…
Certain blood tests are performed to identify if vitamin D, calcium, or phosphorus are low, this will indicate osteomalacia or other diseases present. Other blood tests that can be drawn are alkaline phosphatase isoenzymes and parathyroid hormone, if levels come back high, the test is positive for vitamin D deficiency/osteomalcia. ("Health line," 2016, expression part 4 of 7) X-rays and imaging can also be affective allow Looser zones to be identified all through the body. If all else fails the last test to be executed is a bone biopsy. A needle is inserted through the skin and muscle and into the bone to obtain a small sample, which is put on a slide and examined under a microscope. ("Health line," 2016, expression part 4 of
Vitamin D is a key player in calcium absorption, and deficiency can lead to decreased calcium absorption, which can, in turn, cause bone diseases such as rickets or osteomalacia. (Nair, 2010, para. 4) Osteomalacia refers to a softening of bones that are often caused by a vitamin D deficiency which make bones more susceptible to bowing and fracturing. Osteomalacia is not the same as osteoporosis, osteomalacia results from a defect in the bone-building process, while osteoporosis develops due to a weakening of previously constructed bone. (Mayo clinic [Mayo Clinic Staff], 2014, para. 2)
The lack of vitamin D is the usual culprit when osteomalacia is being diagnosed. The low levels of vitamin D are attributed to the body not processing the calcium needed to promote adequate structural integrity needed to support movements and actions of daily living. If the body has extremely low levels of calcium symptoms like; irregular heart rhythms, numbness around the mouth, numbness in the arms/legs and spasms in the hands/feet can occur. The body uses calcium and phosphate to build strong bones; osteomalacia …show more content…
Certain blood tests are performed to identify if vitamin D, calcium, or phosphorus are low, this will indicate osteomalacia or other diseases present. Other blood tests that can be drawn are alkaline phosphatase isoenzymes and parathyroid hormone, if levels come back high, the test is positive for vitamin D deficiency/osteomalcia. ("Health line," 2016, expression part 4 of 7) X-rays and imaging can also be affective allow Looser zones to be identified all through the body. If all else fails the last test to be executed is a bone biopsy. A needle is inserted through the skin and muscle and into the bone to obtain a small sample, which is put on a slide and examined under a microscope. ("Health line," 2016, expression part 4 of