What causes osteomalacia?
In celiac disease, malabsorption of vitamin D causes the lack of sufficient vitamin D necessary to adequately absorb and use calcium and phosphorus minerals in the body. In addition, fat malabsorption underlies in large part the malabsorption of all three nutrients: vitamin D, calcium and phosphorus. Certain other necessary nutrients needed in small amounts for bone health may also be malabsorbed. These other nutrients include magnesium, vitamin K and selenium. What are the symptoms of osteomalacia? First, lack of energy and rheumatic aches or pains in the lower back and thighs develop. Then weakness of the thighs develops that progressively involves the arms and ribs. It becomes more difficult to climb stairs or get up from a squatting position because of thigh weakness. In arm weakness, objects feel heavier than they should to lift or carry. Breathing is more shallow when weak chest muscles do not fully expand the ribs, which is the mechanism that expands the lungs to pull in air. Bo
