Warning Signs Of Osteomalacia

Osteomalacia is a softening of the bones, typically caused by an extreme vitamin D deficiency. Celiac disease, kidney and liver problems, and digestive tract surgeries can also cause osteomalacia. It can occur both in children and older adults and has some warning signs that should never be ignored. During the initial stages of osteomalacia, symptoms might not be apparent unless detected via x-ray or another type of testing done by a doctor. However, over time, symptoms can manifest and should be addressed by a medical team.

Muscle Weakness

While muscle weakness in individuals with osteomalacia can occur for many reasons, it is a warning sign that should not be taken lightly. Weakness generally occurs at the sites where muscles meet the softening bones. Muscle pain and weakness are often noticeable throughout the pelvic girdle. Weakness in the muscles can become progressive as the bones continue to soften over time. Unfortunately, this symptom can sometimes lead to misdiagnosis, as osteomalacia does often get mislabeled as osteoporosis, so it is important for doctors to take other warning signs into consideration.

Bone Pain

Bone pain is a common feature of osteomalacia since, of course, softening of the bones is downright painful. This type of pain will most commonly manifest in the lower back, legs, and pelvic girdle. When a person stands upright and puts their full weight onto the affected area, the pain can worsen. Also, the pain can become more pronounced during the night and gets triggered by standing up or making sudden movements while laying down. Over time, the bones can become so weakened that fractures are easily sustained, which makes it important to address this type of pain in a timely fashion with a medical team.

Issues With Walking

Due to the weakness that develops throughout the pelvic girdle with increased bone softening, a patient with osteomalacia can develop an awkward gait that resembles waddling. Walking becomes more difficult as time elapses, and the more pressure is placed on the pelvic girdle from body weight, the more problematic walking will likely be. Going up and down flights of stairs can become much more difficult, and even getting up from a seated position can become painful and frustrating for someone with osteomalacia. This also tends to limit the amount of exercise a person will do since walking becomes a painful task.

Numbness

Another warning sign to pay attention to is a numb feeling in the extremities. Lowered levels of vitamin D mean calcium cannot be properly absorbed, and this calcium depletion in the blood can lead to experiencing numbness and tingling. A patient with osteomalacia might end up experiencing muscle cramps in the arms, legs, hands, and feet, as well as a loss of sensation. Their limbs might also begin to frequently tingle. Additionally, numbness can occur around the mouth, although it is most commonly associated in the appendages. The numbness or tingling might feel like it spreads or becomes worse as osteomalacia progressively worsens.

Irregular Heart Rhythm

Sometimes, individuals with osteomalacia can develop an arrhythmia (irregular heart rhythm). Since vitamin D impacts the body's calcium levels and calcium aids in muscle and blood vessel contractions as well as blood vessel dilation, a lack of calcium can cause the improper flow of blood through the vessels. This leads to the possibility of experiencing an arrhythmia. An arrhythmia cannot always be felt, but when it is, it might feel like a pounding heartbeat or fluttering inside of the chest. A patient might become short of breath more easily or experience chest pain if the arrhythmia prevents enough oxygen from getting to the heart. Dizziness and syncope can result from a lack of blood flowing to the brain, which can be caused by an arrhythmia.