Signs & Symptoms of Metabolic Bone Disease

Metabolic bone disease refers to a collection of diseases of the bone. These diseases are attributed to changes within the bone cells that occur due to nutritional excesses or deficiencies resulting from dietary imbalances. The majority of metabolic bone diseases affect the elderly and symptoms can range from none to severe. The most common metabolic bone diseases include osteoporosis, Paget's disease and osteomalacia.

Bone Anatomy

• Human bones are made mostly of collagen, a protein, and calcium phosphate, a mineral. The calcium phosphate helps to add strength to the collagen by forming a matrix. This combination makes the bone strong and flexible. But since bones are living and growing tissue, they require nutritional support to remain strong. As people age, a decrease in calcium, vitamin D and exercise can lead to bone loss and also metabolic bone disease.

Osteoporosis

• Osteoporosis is a preventable disease for many. It can be prevented by ensuring your diet has plenty of calcium and vitamin D. It can also be prevented by doing weight bearing exercises. Due to the fact that women tend to have smaller and thinner bones, osteoporosis is more likely to occur in women than men. Women also tend to suffer from bone loss during menopause. The disease typically isn't found until the patient suffers a fracture or undergoes a bone density test.

Paget's Disease

• Paget's disease is considered a progressive disorder of the bone. Difficulties occur when the normal bone matrix is replaced with a softened and enlarged matrix. This formation of new bone can cause deformities. Paget's disease usually goes unnoticed for years until bone or joint pain start to occur. The patient may also notice deformity of their bones or joints starting to occur.

Osteomalacia

• Osteomalacia is a bone disease that occurs due to structural and metabolic functions of the bones being impaired. This impairment occurs because newly formed bone matrix fails to mineralize, usually due to vitamin D deficiency. The symptoms of osteomalacia are bone pain, weakness, fragility and fractures.

Treatment

• The treatment for osteoporosis and osteomalacia is to supplement calcium and vitamin D intake. In addition, for osteoporosis, bisphosphorates may be prescribed to increase bone mass. Paget's disease will need to be monitored. Sometimes the disease will require no treatment. But for severe deformities surgery may be necessary. A physician should advise how much calcium and vitamin D should be consumed based on each patient's history and condition.