Difference Between Osteomalacia and Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is reduction of mass of the bones. On the other hand osteomalacia is the softening of the bones. Osteoporosis can be cause due to deficiency of vitamin D, while osteomalacia is caused by a deficiency in calcium and phosphorus.

1. What's the difference between osteoporosis and osteomalacia?
2. What is the difference between osteomalacia and rickets?
3. What is the difference between soft bones and brittle bones?
4. How do you know if you have osteomalacia?
5. Can osteomalacia be cured?
6. What Vitamin D should I take in winter?
7. What symptoms does low vitamin D cause?
8. Can osteomalacia occur in children?
9. What does bone disease feel like?
10. What kind of doctor treats osteomalacia?
11. Why do I feel like my bones are weak?

What's the difference between osteoporosis and osteomalacia?

In osteoporosis, the bones are porous and brittle, whereas in osteomalacia, the bones are soft. This difference in bone consistency is related to the mineral-to-organic material ratio.

What is the difference between osteomalacia and rickets?

Rickets is the clinical consequence of impaired mineralization of bone matrix throughout the growing skeleton, whilst osteomalacia is the result of this disturbance after the growth plates have fused in adults.

What is the difference between soft bones and brittle bones?

Normal bone development depends on plenty of calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D. If any of these are in short supply, the bones become soft; in osteoporosis, the bones become thin and brittle. Osteomalacia causes bone and muscle pain, usually in the legs and back. A lack of vitamin D is the most common cause.

How do you know if you have osteomalacia?

As osteomalacia progresses, you might develop bone pain and muscle weakness. The dull, aching pain associated with osteomalacia most commonly affects the lower back, pelvis, hips, legs and ribs. The pain might be worse at night or when you put pressure on the bones.

Can osteomalacia be cured?

If you have osteomalacia – the adult form of rickets that causes soft bones – treatment with supplements will usually cure the condition. However, it may be several months before any bone pain and muscle weakness is relieved. You should continue taking vitamin D supplements regularly to prevent the condition returning.

What Vitamin D should I take in winter?

Advice for adults and children over 4 years old

But since it's difficult for people to get enough vitamin D from food alone, everyone (including pregnant and breastfeeding women) should consider taking a daily supplement containing 10 micrograms of vitamin D during the autumn and winter.

What symptoms does low vitamin D cause?

But, some of the effects of vitamin D deficiency include:

• Fatigue or tiredness.
• Bone pain.
• Joint pain.
• Muscle pain.
• Sour mood.
• Low energy.
• More frequent illness.
• Anxiety.

Can osteomalacia occur in children?

It can also increase a child's risk of fracture (broken bone). Osteomalacia affects both children and adults and is a disease in which the bones don't contain enough bone mineral (mostly calcium and phosphate). Like rickets, osteomalacia can cause bone pain and increase the risk of fracture.

What does bone disease feel like?

Bone pain is extreme tenderness, aching, or other discomfort in one or more bones. It differs from muscle and joint pain because it's present whether you're moving or not. The pain is commonly linked to diseases that affect the normal function or structure of the bone.

What kind of doctor treats osteomalacia?

You'll likely start by seeing your primary care provider, who might refer you to a doctor who specializes in diseases of the joints and muscles (rheumatologist) or one who specializes in metabolic bone disorders (endocrinologist).

Why do I feel like my bones are weak?

Osteoporosis causes bones to become weak and brittle — so brittle that a fall or even mild stresses such as bending over or coughing can cause a fracture. Osteoporosis-related fractures most commonly occur in the hip, wrist or spine.