Rickets: Prevention and Treatment : Your online pharmacy selection

What is rickets?

Rickets is a disease that occurs mainly in children and affects bone development, leading to soft bones and skeletal deformities. This condition generally results from a deficiency in vitamin D, an essential nutrient that promotes the absorption of calcium and phosphorus in the body.

What causes rickets?

The main causes of rickets include:

• Vitamin D deficiency: due to insufficient exposure to sunlight or a diet low in vitamin D.
• Nutrient absorption disorders: certain gastrointestinal problems can prevent the absorption of vitamin D and calcium.
• Genetic factors: genetic mutations can affect vitamin D and phosphorus metabolism.

How to recognize rickets symptoms?

Symptoms of rickets can vary but often include:

• Bone pain and muscle weakness
• Bone deformities, such as bowed legs or chest deformity
• Delayed growth and development in children

What treatments are available for rickets?

Treatment for rickets focuses on correcting nutrient deficiencies and may include:

• Vitamin D and calciumsupplements
• Controlled exposure to sunlight to increase natural vitamin D synthesis
• In some cases, surgical treatment of bone deformities

How can rickets be prevented?

Prevention of rickets is based on..:

• A balanced diet rich in vitamin D and calcium
• Sufficient exposure to the sun, while taking care to protect the skin
• Regular medical check-ups to monitor vitamin D levels, especially in young children

Can rickets affect adults?

Although rickets is primarily a childhood disease, adults can suffer from a similar condition known asosteomalacia, which also involves softening of the bones due to vitamin D deficiency.

What role does vitamin D play in preventing rickets?

Vitamin D plays a crucial role in the prevention of rickets by promoting the absorption of calcium and phosphorus in the intestine, essential elements for the development and maintenance of strong bones. A lack of vitamin D can therefore prevent proper bone mineralization in young children, leading to softening and deformity.

How can we ensure adequate vitamin D intake?

To ensure an adequate intake of vitamin D, several methods can be adopted:

• Sun exposure: Between 10 and 30 minutes of direct exposure, several times a week, may be sufficient, depending on skin type and geographical location.
• Diet: Eat vitamin D-rich foods such as salmon, mackerel, eggs and fortified dairy products.
• Supplementation: When sun exposure and diet are not sufficient, vitamin D supplementation may be necessary, on the advice of a health professional.

What are the long-term consequences of untreated rickets?

If left untreated, rickets can lead to serious complications such as:

• Permanent bonedeformities, which may require surgery
• Growth difficulties and delayed physical development
• Severedental problems, including delays in tooth formation and eruption.

How is rickets diagnosed?

The diagnosis of rickets is generally made by :

• Clinical examination: The doctor looks for physical signs of bone weakness and deformity.
• Blood tests: To measure vitamin D, calcium and phosphorus levels.
• Medical imaging: X-rays to observe bone abnormalities.

Can rickets be confused with other diseases?

Yes, rickets can sometimes be confused with other bone disorders such asosteogenesis imperfecta (glass bone disease), which is genetic and not related to deficiency. A thorough evaluation by a healthcare professional is essential for an accurate diagnosis, distinguishing rickets from other pathologies with similar symptoms.