Osteomalatia Essay example - 1408 Words

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†¦show more content†¦Such diseases are more common in areas such as Great Britain, Pakistan, and India (Huether McCance, 2008). â€Å"This disease is prevalent in elderly persons and in premature infants of very low birth weight† (Huethe r McCance, 2008). Commonly Osteomalacia is confused with Osteoporosis. However, these two diseases, although similar, are not the same. â€Å"Osteomalacia results from a defect in the bone-building process, while osteoporosis develops due to a weakening of the previously constructed bone† (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2011). Physiology There are numerous factors that contribute to the development of this horrible disease, but the most important factor is vitamin D deficiency. When the minerals in osteoid crystallize, they require adequate concentration of calcium and phosphate. When the concentration is not at the correct level, ossification does not proceed normally (Huether McCance, 2008). Vitamin D regulates the absorption of calcium from the intestine. When there is a lack of vitamin D, the concentration of calcium begins to fall (Huether McCance, 2008). The body begins to regulate this calcium drop by increases the amount of PTH synthesis and secretion (Huether McCance, 2008). An increase of PTH causes a clearance of phosphate and without the correct levels of phosphate mineralization of the bones cannot proceed in the correct manor (Huether McCance, 2008). The abnormality of bone growth can occur in spongy and compact bone (Mayo