Ricketts Vs. Osteoporosis

Rickets and osteoporosis are both disorders that can result in the weakening of your bones. The diseases have different symptoms, affect different groups of people and have different complications and risk factors.

Identification

• Rickets affects the bones of children and is characterized by deterioration of the bones, usually due to an extreme deficiency of vitamin D.
  Osteoporosis affects older adults and is characterized by the bones of an affected patient becoming brittle and weak.

Rickets Symptoms

• Rickets symptoms may include bowed legs, deformed pelvis, curvature of the spine, increased fragility resulting in more frequent fractures, delayed growth patterns, dental problems, muscle weakness and bone pain, usually in the pelvis, legs or spine.

Osteoporosis Symptoms

• Severe back pain may indicate fracture or collapse of the vertebra. Other osteoporosis symptoms may include progressively diminished height, stooped posture and frequent fractures, particularly of the wrists, hips or spine).

Rickets Risk Factors

• Children between the ages of 3 to 36 months in age are at the highest risk of rickets. Breast-fed babies should receive vitamin D in supplemental form since there are insufficient levels of vitamin D present in breast milk.

Osteoporosis Risk Factors

• Women are more likely than men to develop osteoporosis. Other risk factors include family history, tobacco use, history of eating disorders, history of long-term use of corticosteroid drugs such as prednisone and low calcium intake.

Complications

• If left untreated, rickets may lead to complications such as delayed development of motor skills, seizures, dental abnormalities, deformed skeleton and chronic growth problems.
  The most prevalent complication of osteoporosis is serious bone fractures, particularly of the hips or spine. This can lead to chronic pain, loss of height and loss of independence.