Difference Between Osteoporosis and Osteomalacia

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. How does osteoporosis differ from osteomalacia?
2. What is the difference between osteomalacia and rickets?
3. What is the difference between soft bones and brittle bones?
4. What are the symptoms of osteomalacia?
5. Why bisphosphonates is the drug of choice for osteoporosis give its advantages?
6. How do you test for osteomalacia?
7. What Vitamin D should I take in winter?
8. What symptoms does low vitamin D cause?
9. Can osteomalacia be cured?
10. What does bone disease feel like?
11. Does osteomalacia lead to osteoporosis?

How does osteoporosis differ from 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.

What are the symptoms of 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. The pain is rarely relieved completely by rest.

Why bisphosphonates is the drug of choice for osteoporosis give its advantages?

In clinical studies, several bisphosphonates prevent bone loss, preserve bone structure, improve bone strength and, in patients with osteoporosis, substantially reduce fracture risk. They are effective in multiple clinical settings including postmenopausal osteoporosis, low bone mass in men and drug-induced bone loss.

How do you test for osteomalacia?

Diagnosis

1. Blood and urine tests. These help detect low levels of vitamin D and problems with calcium and phosphorus.
2. X-rays. Structural changes and slight cracks in your bones that are visible on X-rays are characteristic of osteomalacia.
3. Bone biopsy.

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 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 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.

Does osteomalacia lead to osteoporosis?

We concluded that bone densitometry may detect osteoporosis in up to 70% of patients with osteomalacia. Middle aged individuals with significant osteoporosis should be evaluated for osteomalacia, beside other causes of secondary osteoporosis.