Osteomalatia

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Osteomalacia: Background, Physiology, Treatment, and Impact

Vitamin intake is a commonly overlooked necessity in basic nutritional health. What most people do not know is that certain vitamin deficiencies can cause many health risks and problems. Many people believe that are getting all the vitamins they need from their diet, however most of the time they are not. One of the most common vitamin deficiencies is the low intake of Vitamin D. There are some vitamins that are produced by the body such as vitamin K; however some of the most important vitamins are not produced by the body. Vitamin D is one of the vitamins that our body needs to function correctly that is not naturally produced by the body. Vitamin D can be consumed through diet or when cholesterol in our skin is exposed to sunlight. In some cases, there is a problem with the body’s ability to break down and use this vitamin ("Osteomalacia," 2010). Whether it’s a low intake or system malfunction vitamin D deficiency can cause many problems. One of the most common vitamin D deficiency diseases is Osteomalacia. Osteomalacia can be treated and kept under control if caught early, however it can cause many future problems if not caught in time.

Background

“Osteomalacia is a metabolic disease characterized by inadequate and delayed mineralization of osteoid in mature compact and spongy bone” (Huether & McCance, 2008). The bone volume remains the same in growth; however the replaced bone is soft osteoid rather than rigid bone (Huether & McCance, 2008). In simpler terms, “Osteomalacia refers to the softening of the bones due to a vitamin D deficiency” (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2011). In children, this disease is referred to as rickets. “Both Osteomalacia and rickets are consider...

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...y a vitamin deficiency can be avoided. If a person develops Osteomalacia, it can be treated and suppressed, however if not treated it can lead to complete abnormalities of the bones. Although Osteomalacia isn’t common in the United States, it is still possible along with other vitamin deficiency caused diseases. With that being said, it is crucial that the public is more aware of the necessity for vitamins in the diet.

Works Cited

Eckman, A. (2010). Osteomalacia-overview. Retrieved from http://www.umm.edu/ency/article/000376.htm

Huether, S. E., & McCance, K. L. (2008). Understanding pathophysiology. (fourth ed.). St. Louis, Missouri: Mosby.

Mayo Clinic Staff. (2011, May 3). Osteomalacia. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/osteomalacia/DS00935

Osteomalacia. (2010, August 31). Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001414/

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