What is osteomalacia?

4 May 2021

It is a bone condition in which the bones cannot be strengthened or mineralized, mainly due to a lack of vitamin D, and although it usually affects the elderly, it can occur at any stage of life because the bones constantly undergo a bone replacement process.

Osteomalacia is not bone loss, as in osteoporosis, but the softening of the bones due to a lack of mineralization as part of the bone-building process, leaving the collagen soft and vulnerable.

This pathology arises due to the following:

Low levels of vitamin D due to a poor diet or because the body cannot absorb it, as well as a lack of sunlight exposure.
Weight loss surgeries.
Celiac disease.
Genetic factors.
Lack of phosphorus.
Antacid medications or to control epileptic seizures.
Liver problems.
Kidney disorders.
Some types of cancer.

Signs and symptoms Osteomalacia

Characteristic symptoms include:

Difficulty walking
Muscle spasms.
Feet and pelvis bone fractures.
Bones sensitive to minor shocks.
Lumbar and pelvic pain.
Sore, weak, and stiff muscles.
Sore legs

However, some people may not have symptoms.

Diagnosis and treatment Osteomalacia

Once the doctor analyzes your symptoms and clinical history, they will perform a physical examination and order blood and urine tests to assess.

High levels of parathyroid hormones.
High levels of alkaline phosphatase.
Low calcium levels.
Low phosphate levels.

You may also require bone density tests and X-rays to determine how advanced the osteomalacia is. Treatment consists of providing the necessary nutrients for bone mineralization, as well as:

Not consuming alcohol.
Quit smoking.
Taking vitamin D, calcium, and phosphorus supplements constantly.
Performing physical activity regularly.
Taking daily sunbaths.

At Saludora Medical Center’s Internal Medicine Department, we offer health care services with the highest quality and safety, from the prevention, diagnosis, timely treatment, and monitoring of infectious, respiratory, endocrinological, dermatological, rheumatic, nephrological, gastrointestinal, and hematological pathologies of both chronic-degenerative diseases and acute conditions, through a comprehensive and multidisciplinary model.

Related centers and departments Osteomalacia

Cancer Center
Internal medicine
Radiology and Molecular Imaging
Clinical Laboratory

Fuentes:

my.clevelandclinic.org
reumatologiaclinica.org
medlineplus.gov
heathline.com
msdmanuals.com
medigraphic.com
Mendoza MJF, Moreno VMÁ, León DJV, et al. Osteomalacia. Diagnóstico y tratamiento. Rev Cub de Reu. 2019;21(2):1-11.
Velásquez-Jones L, Medeiros-Domingo M. Raquitismos hipofosfatémicos hereditarios. Bol Med Hosp Infant Mex. 2013;70(6):421-431.
Zuluaga ENA, Alfaro VJM, Balthazar GV, et al. Vitamina D: nuevos paradigmas. Medicina & Laboratorio. 2011;17(05-06):211-246.
Vallejo AJ. Osteoporosis, osteopenia y osteomalacia. Ortho-tips. 2010;6(1):50-58.

How can we help you?

The dissemination of the content of this material is for informational purposes only and does not replace, under any circumstance or condition, a consultation with a specialist doctor, for which the Saludora Medical Center is not responsible for the different use that may be given to it. If you require more information related to the subject, we suggest you contact the specialist doctor you trust directly.

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Comparison of COVID-19 vaccines

Pfizer-
BioNTech

Pfizer-BioNTech

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Vaccine type: mRNA
Effectiveness: 95% after the second dose in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.

No Does not contain egg, latex, or preservatives.

How many doses are needed?
Two doses are needed, at least 21 days apart (or up to six weeks apart, if necessary).

Who should or shouldn’t get the vaccine?
People who should receive the vaccine are those over 16 years old.
People who should not receive the vaccine are those who have a history of anaphylactic shock (severe allergy) or who are allergic to any component of this vaccine such as polyethylene glycol (PEG) or polysorbate.

What are the possible side effects of the vaccine?
Pain where the injection was given, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, chills, joint pain, fever, nausea, malaise, and swollen lymph nodes.

How long will it take for me to be protected and what does it protect me from?
After 14 days of having the complete scheme (after the administration of the 2nd dose), the protection period is still under study. It protects us from serious COVID-19 or requiring hospitalization.

Moderna

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Vaccine type: mRNA
Effectiveness: 94.5% after the second dose in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.

Does not contain egg, latex, or preservatives.

How many doses are needed?
Two doses are needed, at least 28 days apart (or up to six weeks apart, if necessary).

Who should or shouldn’t get the vaccine?
People who should receive the vaccine are those over 18 years old.
People who should not receive the vaccine are those who have a history of anaphylactic shock (severe allergy) or who are allergic to any component of this vaccine.

What are the possible side effects of the vaccine?
Pain where the injection was given, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, chills, joint pain, fever, nausea, and swollen lymph nodes in the arm in which you received the injection.

Janssen/
Johnson
& Johnson

Janssen/ Johnson & Johnson

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Vector-based vaccine.
Effectiveness: 72.0% in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.
85% in the prevention of severe COVID-19.

Does not contain egg, latex, or preservatives./strong>

How many doses are needed?
Only one dose in needed.

What are the possible side effects of the vaccine?
Pain where the injection was given, headache, fatigue, muscle pain, chills, fever, and nausea.

How long will it take for me to be protected and what does it protect me from?
After 28 days of having the complete scheme (the last dose applied), the protection period is still under study. It protects us from 85% serious COVID-19 or requiring hospitalization.

AstraZeneca
and
Oxford
University

AstraZeneca and Oxford University

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Adenovirus vector-based vaccine.
Effectiveness: 82% after the second dose in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.

How many doses are needed?
Two doses are needed, at least 56 days apart (or up to 84 days apart, if necessary).

What are the possible side effects of the vaccine?
Pain where the injection was given, fatigue, headache, myalgia, arthralgia, and fever, which were mild to moderate in intensity and disappeared within 48 hours of vaccination.

Sputnik V

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Adenovirus vector-based vaccine.
Effectiveness: 92% after the second dose in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.

How many doses are needed?
Two doses are needed, at least 21 days apart (or up to six weeks apart, if necessary).

What is osteomalacia?

Signs and symptoms Osteomalacia

Diagnosis and treatment Osteomalacia

Related centers and departments Osteomalacia

Fuentes:

Index

Specialist in Osteomalacia