Rickets disease - Treatment and cure

Home > Rickets disease - Treatment and cure

Rickets disease treatment and cure involves ultraviolet B light (sunlight) exposure, nutritious food containing vitamin D, calcium and phosphorus and cholecalciferol supplements.

Rickets disease treatment and cure can be complete if it is started early during the growing age of the child.

The skeletal deformities usually improve and may disappear.

If the treatment is delayed the deformities and the short stature may become permanent requiring surgical intervention.
Treatment is done to relieve the symptoms of rickets disease and eliminate the causes of the rickets.

Replacement of vitamin D, calcium and phosphorus will relieve most of the signs and cure rickets.

Rickets disease treatment and cure in infants

The lactating mother of the affected infant is immediately put on cholecalciferol and mineral supplements and if necessary given vitamin D injections for treatment and cure of rickets disease.
A diet rich in vitamin D, calcium and phosphorus is given to the mother.
She is encouraged to spend about 30 minutes in the sunlight.

The infant is also exposed to ultraviolet B light (sunlight).
Supplements are also given to the infant.

Rickets disease treatment and cure with good nutrition

Diet rich in calcium, phosphorus and cholecalciferol like fish, fortified milk, liver, fish liver oils given; eggs and fortified flour are included in daily menu for cure.

Rickets cure with sunlight

The affected child is encouraged to go out in the sun for about 30 minutes for the skin to produce vitamin D.

The affected children are encouraged to play in the sunlight for a short time.

Rickets treatment with supplements

Cholecalciferol supplements are given to boost its availability for calcium absorption from the intestine and its utilisation in the body.

Depending on the condition of the patient single dose of cholecalciferol is split into 5 oral doses and given. Alternatively cholecalciferol is given gradually for about 3 months till the symptoms are resolved.
The vitamin D is stored in the body and utilised slowly.

Intramuscular injections are also given nowadays to resolve rickets early and get total cure.

Treatment and cure for the rickets deformities

Braces and other orthopedic aids are used to help in the correction of deformities and gait in children.

If necessary corrective surgery is done to remove the deformity caused by rickets disease.

National Academy of Sciences (NAS) and American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommendations for rickets disease prevention

National Academy of Sciences (NAS) and American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) have recommended a supplement of 200 IU per day of vitamin D for all breastfed infants till they are weaned to at least 500 ml per day of fortified milk or fortified formula feed.

For those non breastfed infants who are ingesting less than 500 ml per day of fortified milk or fortified formula feed, again a vitamin D supplement of 200 IU per day is recommended.

Children and adolescents who do not get regular sunlight exposure, do not ingest at least 500 mL per day of vitamin D-fortified milk, or do not take a daily multivitamin supplement containing at least 200 IU of vitamin D are recommended to take 200 IU of vitamin D supplement daily.

Prognosis

The situation usually improves within 10 days from the start of the treatment for rickets disease and deformities may take longer time to correct.

Related topics:
Rickets disease
Causes
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Prevention
Osteomalacia (in adults)

Current topic:
Treatment and cure for rickets disease.

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Scurvy treatment - Prevent scurvy

Home > Scurvy treatment and prevention

The scurvy treatment is simple and easy and in about a month of treatment complete recovery can be achieved. Our present food habits are to be evaluated and corrected to prevent scurvy.

Scurvy treatment

Treatment of scurvy involves intake of vitamin C rich citrus fruits, vegetables and vitamin C supplements. The medication regime for scurvy affected person is usually as follows.

• The treatment involves intake of vitamin C at the rate of 100 mg 5-6 times daily for about 8-10 days followed by reducing the dosage gradually to 100 mg daily till all symptoms resolve.
• Alternatively one gram of ascorbic acid per day is given in split doses for about 4-5 days followed by 400-500 mg/day in split doses for 7 days. Then the dose is reduced gradually to 100 mg per day.
• For infants 50 mg/day of ascorbic acid must be given till complete recovery.
• The doses have to be divided and restricted to 100 mg at one time as absorption in the intestine is limited.
• Patients with gastrointestinal malabsorption problems may require administration of supplements through parenteral route.
• The patient must be given fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C during and after the course of treatment to avoid recurrence.
• If neglected  this disease is usually fatal.

The scurvy treatment responses

• *If detected early and proper action taken, recovery is complete and is usually successful.
• *The response and recovery from scurvy is usually very fast.
• *The hemorrhage of the gums and mucous membranes stops usually within 24 hours from the first step taken.
• *The bleeding into skin stops in about 48 hours and resolving of livid spots occurs in two weeks.
• *The muscle pain and bone pain goes away in two weeks.
• *Most of the symptoms of scurvy go away in a month time and recovery is total in most of the cases.

Richest source of vitamin C - Kakadu plum (enlarge)

>Prevent scurvy

• *To prevent the chances for developing scurvy we have to eat healthy and balanced food.
• *In order to prevent the disease our diet must contain sufficient amounts of fruits, especially citrus fruits and vegetables which are rich in vitamin C.
• *Light, heat and air destroy the ascorbic acid and to minimize loss we should consume fresh food; we should not over-cook the food.
• *Wherever and whenever it is possible we should consume raw vegetables and fruits to prevent the disease.
• *Pregnant women require more supplies of vitamin c and sufficient supplements must be taken to prevent the development of this disease.
• *The requirement of vitamin C in infants is comparatively high and the nursing mother should take proper food and supplements to prevent it in infants.
• *Infants who are not breast-feeding and relying on cow milk run the risk of developing the deficiency as cow milk is poor in ascorbic acid and pasteurization destroys it. Hence supplements must be given to prevent scurvy.
• Proper balanced nutrition containing sufficient vitamin C prevents scurvy and is the treatment.

Related topics:
Scurvy causes
Signs and symptoms
Foods - Sources

Current topic:
Scurvy treatment and prevention.

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