Bone diseases are quite common in Pakistan nowadays. Researchers estimate that about 40 million suffer from osteopenia in the country, while 9.9 million have osteoporosis. Unfortunately, the stats are expected to increase in the coming years.
Healthy bones are essential, not just for movement but also to protect our vital organs. To help you stay healthy, Nutrix Health Care will help you explore reasons why bones get weak and 5 common bone diseases.

Why Do We Get Bone Diseases?

Bones provide the framework of our body. They become weak and brittle over time without proper care and nourishment. If the foundation itself is weak then your health suffers.
Symptoms of getting bone disease may include lower back bone pain, lower jaw bone pain, or pain in hip bones when sitting. These diseases can weaken your bones and even break and deform them.
That is why it is crucial to understand the main causes. Some prominent reasons are:

• Vitamin D deficiency
• Malnourishment in kids
• Kidney disease
• Some organ transplants lead to changes in the skeleton
• Chemotherapies
• Menopause in women
• Steroids intake
• Excessive use of alcohol

5 Common Bone Diseases

1. Osteopenia

Osteopenia occurs with the loss of bone mass and density. The bones become brittle and weak due to insufficient Calcium intake.
The risk of having osteopenia increases with age and women are four times more likely to have it than men. Smoking and alcohol are also significant factors which can cause this disease. However, if left untreated, it can lead to osteoporosis.

2. Osteoporosis

Osteopenia progresses into osteoporosis if it is not treated early. People suffering from this disease will have fragile and low-quality bones. It increases the risk of fractures, back pain, and reduced strength.
Men and Women can be affected by osteoporosis at any age. Although, with increasing age, the chances of getting this disease also increase.
Osteoporosis is a result of changes in the structure and strength of the body. Some of the prominent symptoms include height loss, constant lower back pain, curved spines, and receding gums.

3. Rickets

While growing up, some children experience softening and weakening of bones. This disease is called rickets. It is more common in underdeveloped countries where kids face malnourishment due to poverty or other reasons.
In rickets, children's bones do not develop properly while growing. Due to a lack of essential nutrients like Calcium, Vitamin D and Phosphorus, the bones get weak. As a result, they may even develop permanent deformities like bowlegs.
Common symptoms include pain, cramps, stunted growth, fractures, and delayed teeth formation.

4. Osteoarthritis

Another common bone disease is osteoarthritis. It causes joint tissues to break down, resulting in pain and stiffness. It occurs frequently in the hands, hips, spine, and knees.
In this disease, the underlying bone changes as the cartilage within the joint begins to break down. Other than severe pain, it can also lead to reduced function and disability making people unable to perform daily tasks.
Its causes include being overweight, old age, and repetitive stress on the joints. Usually, women are more prone to this disease than men.

5. Paget Syndrome

Our body constantly removes old bones and adds new ones in their places. Usually, this process occurs at a slower pace.
Paget’s disease causes the abnormal growth of new bones making them deformed, weak, and soft.
Paget syndrome can lead to other complications, such as arthritis and fractures. Its symptoms are painful and stiff joints, heart problems, permanent hearing loss if the skull is affected, and, in rare cases, even bone cancer called Paget’s sarcoma.

Prevention of Bone Diseases

The major cause of many bone diseases is Vitamin D and Calcium deficiency.
Vitamin D is important for the proper absorption of Calcium and Phosphorus.
A healthy diet rich in these essential nutrients along with the right supplements can help you overcome the deficiencies.
Nutrix Health Care offers four products for healthy and stronger bones.

1. Pantacal contains Vitamin D3, Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc, and Vitamin K2 to maintain resilient bones.
2. Chol-D is a rich source of 10,000 IU of Vitamin D3.
3. Osti-Glu improves joint mobility and helps support cartilage health.
4. Apic chews for kids are delicious chewable offering Calcium and Vitamin D3 for healthy bones growth.

It is also important to consult professional medical advisors beforehand for any underlying problems.

Conclusion

The 5 common bone diseases include osteopenia, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, rickets, and Paget’s disease. Risks of having them can be prevented by proper diet, physical activities, regular health checkups, and taking good supplements. To maintain a healthy lifestyle with essential nutrients, try Nutrix Health Care’s supplements!

FAQs

1. What are the other most common bone diseases?
Some other common ones include blood marrow disorders, bone ailments and disorders, and diseases where bones get brittle

2. What are the 5 most essential bones?
These include the bones of the skull, spine, ribs, arms and legs.

3. Rare bone diseases?
These rare diseases include Osteogenesis imperfecta, Hypophosphatasia, Achondroplasia, X-linked hypophosphatemia, Pseudohypoparathyroidism, and Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva.

4. Bone diseases that can kill you
Bone cancer can cause death.

References

https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/bones#:~:text=Bones%20work%20with%20muscles%20and,of%20our%20body's%20calcium%20supply.

https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/osteoporosis#:~:text=Osteoporosis%20is%20a%20bone%20disease,of%20fractures%20(broken%20bones).

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21855-osteopenia.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/rickets/symptoms-causes/syc-20351943.

https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/pagets-disease-of-bone#:~:text=While%20there%20are%20no%20known,skeletal%20health%20and%20joint%20mobility.