You are here: PharmacyArticlesCalcium, Rickets, Vitamin Dπ Rickets Treatment, Symptoms, Signs, Causes & Treatment With Calcium & Vitamin D in Canada Read more articles on: Calcium, Rickets, Vitamin D Published on: March 16, 2022 Last Updated On: March 16, 2022 Free Delivery: Your medication is delivered directly to you at no added cost. We even offer same-day delivery in selected locations. Discreet Packaging: Your privacy is important. That's why we send your medication inside a plain delivery box so no one will know what's inside. π Rickets Treatment, Symptoms, Signs, Causes & Treatment With Calcium & Vitamin D in Canada Table of Contents What are Rickets?How To Care For Someone Suffering From Rickets & Its Symptoms?What Do Rickets Look Like? Signs in ChildrenRickets in KidsRickets Causes and SymptomsSymptoms of rickets include:How Can You Help Treating RicketsRickets Diagnosis, Treatment, and MedicationRickets DiagnosisRickets Treatment And MedicationRickets treatment with CalciumRickets treatment with vitamin DOther Precautions For Them And YouRickets and sun exposureRickets and vitaminsRecommended reading for youWhat are Rickets?Rickets is a common condition in children caused by deficiency of vitamin D, calcium, or phosphate. In the absence of these vitamins or minerals, the bones are weak and may cause stunted growth.How To Care For Someone Suffering From Rickets & Its Symptoms?If you feel that your kid may have rickets, itβs essential to consult the doctor. Correcting the deficiency with supplements and diet can help reverse symptoms of rickets.Keep on reading to know more.What Do Rickets Look Like? Signs in ChildrenA healthy βboneβ βdevelopment needs calcium,β βvitaminβ βD,β βandβ βphosphateβ , and deficiencyβ βofβ βeitherβ βofβ βtheβ βnutrientsβ βmayβ βresultβ βinβ βrickets.β βPeopleβ βwithβ βricketsβ βhaveβ βstuntedβ β growth,β βsoftβ βbones,β βandβ βevenβ βskeletalβ βdeformities.β β βYourβ βbodyβ βneedsβ βvitaminβ βDβ βtoβ βabsorbβ βcalciumβ βandβ βphosphateβ βfromβ βtheβ βfoodβ βyouβ βeat.β βTheβ βdeficiencyβ βofβ βvitaminβ βDβ βthusβ βmakesβ βitβ βdifficultβ βtoβ βgetβ βenoughβ βcalciumβ βandβ βphosphate.β βWhenβ βthisβ βhappens,β βyourβ βbodyβ βstartsβ βusingβ βcalciumβ βandβ βphosphateβ βfromβ βtheβ βbones,β βmakingβ βthemβ βweakβ βandβ βsoft.βΒ βΒ βRickets in KidsRicketsβΒ βisβΒ βmainlyβΒ βseenβΒ βinβΒ βchildrenβΒ βbetweenβΒ β6βΒ βandβΒ β36βΒ βmonths.βΒ βThisβΒ βageβΒ βgroupβΒ βisβΒ βhighlyβΒ βproneβΒ βtoβ βricketsβ βasβ βtheirβ βbonesβ βareβ βstillβ βgrowingβ βandβ βdeveloping.βRickets Causes and SymptomsRisk factors for rickets include:Age: As discussed before, rickets is mainly seen in children between 6 and 36 monthsDiet: A vegetarian diet devoid of eggs, fish, or milk. You may also be at risk if you have trouble digesting milk or have lactose intolerance. Besides, breastfed infants are also at risk as breast milk doesnβt contain enough vitamin D.Skin color: Children with darker skin are more prone as the skin doesnβt react adequately to sunlight, producing less vitamin D.Genes: A form of rickets can be inherited, called hereditary rickets, which prevents phosphate absorption from the kidneys.Β Symptoms of rickets include:Tenderness or pain in the bones of legs, spine, arms, or pelvisBone fracturesTeeth deformities such as holes in the enamel and defects in the tooth structureShort stature and stunted growthMuscle crampsAn oddly shaped skullA protruding breastboneLegs that bow out (bow legs)Bumps in the ribcagePelvic deformitiesA curved spineALSO READ Treating Rickets with Calcium. Is it good for you? Reverse Deficiency Explained.If your child has any of the signs, it is best to consult a doctor as the child may end up with a short stature as an adult if rickets goes untreated.Β How Can You Help Treating RicketsThe best time for building strong bones is when they are still developing, in kids and teens. Children with strong bones are less likely to have rickets later in life. And for the same reason, children must have adequate calcium and vitamin D.Hereβs how you can help them:Encourage a diet rich in calcium such as dairy products, greens, beans, nuts, and seeds. You can also give them calcium-fortified foods like orange juice and peanut butter.Ensure they get enough vitamin D. Your child may not be fond of vitamin D-rich foods such as fatty fish. In such cases, you can consult your doctor for supplements.Carefully expose them to the sun. The body makes vitamin D when exposed to sunlight. Exposing the face and hands a few times during the summer and spring months can help. However, it is essential to keep the exposure brief.Motivate your kids to exercise. Activities and exercises promote stronger bones. Some examples of helpful activities include running, climbing, walking, and jumping.Β Get immediate medical care if the kid has a seizure or breaks their bone.Β Rickets Diagnosis, Treatment, and MedicationRickets DiagnosisThe doctor may be able to diagnose rickets by running a physical check on your child. They will check for pain or tenderness of the bones by pressing them. They may also order the mentioned investigations to confirm the diagnosis: Bone X-rays to find bone deformitiesBlood test to measure phosphate, vitamin D, and calciumBone biopsy (in rare cases)Rickets Treatment And MedicationTreatment of rickets involves taking the missing mineral or vitamin. If your child has low calcium levels, the doctor may give them calcium and vitamin D supplements. This will help to manage symptoms of rickets. The correct dose depends on the age and size of the child. Taking a higher or lower dose may negatively affect the child. Thus, always take the recommended dose.Β ALSO READ Low Calcium Levels in Pregnancy? Deficiency Treatment Explained.Rickets treatment with CalciumThe usual dose of calcium is 1000 mg or 2000 mg for a few weeks. Some children may need treatment for more than 24 weeks to completely heal.Tips to take calcium supplements:It is available as a tablet to be taken orally, once or more, with or without food or as prescribed by your physician.Take this tablet daily at the same time.Follow all the instructions on the prescription label. Do not stop taking this medication abruptly without consulting your doctor.Do not take it more or less, or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Do not stop using it even if you feel well.Experts also suggest moderate sun exposure to prevent rickets. You can expose your hands and face to sunlight a few times a week during the summer and spring months.Rickets treatment with vitamin DToo much sun exposure may damage the skin, and sunscreen may be used to prevent skin burns and damage. As sunscreen alters vitamin D absorption, taking foods with vitamin D or vitamin supplements is beneficial. The recommended daily intake of vitamin D is:0β12 months: 400 IU (10 mcg)1β70 years: 600 IU (15 mcg)Above 70: 800 IU (20 mcg)Another option involves using fortified orange juice, milk, and other products rich in vitamin D.Other Precautions For Them And YouRickets and sun exposureSun exposure is an excellent prevention tool. However, excess sunlight exposure may increase the risk of sunburns and skin cancer.Β Rickets and vitaminsIt is also essential to consult your doctor before giving your child vitamin supplements. A higher or lower dose of the supplements may negatively affect the child.Β Recommended reading for youDiabetes Type 1 and Vitamin D (Opens in a new browser tab)Type 1 Diabetics and Vitamin Deficiency (Opens in a new browser tab)Calcium (Opens in a new browser tab)Type 2 Diabetics and Vitamin Deficiency (Opens in a new browser tab)Birth Control and Vitamin Deficiency (Opens in a new browser tab)ALSO READ Treating Osteoporosis With Calcium. Does it work? Causes & Symptoms Explained We're Here for You: Our pharmacists are happy to answer your questions. Get in touch by text, live chat, phone or email. We're standing by 7 days a week. Automatic Refills: We manage your refills and get in touch with your doctors for prescription renewals so that you always have the medication you need. Read More... 490 Views Share