What Causes Osteomalacia?

Osteomalacia is a condition described as the weakening of the bones and typically develops as a result of vitamin D deficiency, but may be caused by a lack of calcium and phosphorus. Some cases involve the presence of a tumor in the body. In addition, osteomalacia can happen due to several disorders that prevent absorption of vitamin D in the body.

Symptoms of osteomalacia may include bone tenderness in areas of the spine, ribs, legs, pelvis, and shoulders. Furthermore, victims can experience weakness in the muscles as well as difficulty walking. Other effects of osteomalacia are an arrhythmia, muscle spasms, and numbness of the mouth or arms. Senior patients who are housebound have a high chance of developing the condition.

Get to know the various causes of osteomalacia now.

Celiac Disease

Patients with celiac disease can experience long-term effects from consuming gluten, found in grains such as wheat, rye, and barley. The gluten triggers an abnormal immune response from the immune system, which functions to protect the body from toxic substances. These can include substances that are typically harmless but recognized as harmful.

In celiac disease, the immune system damages the intestinal villi, located along the lining of the small intestine. The villi feature a surface area for absorbing vitamins and minerals. Damage to the villi effects its ability to take in the nutrients like vitamin D and calcium. If you are diagnosed with celiac disease, avoid foods containing gluten ingredients and nonfood sources that include gluten.

Continue reading to learn about more causes of osteomalacia.