Did you know that a human infant has about 270 bones? This number reduces significantly to about 206 in an adult due to bone fusion. Bones are living tissues that continuously regenerate throughout life. Bones give you shape, provide support, and aid in movement. Bones are composed of specialized bone cells, and connective tissues bounded together by calcium. The bone marrow, which generates blood cells, is also present in most bones.
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Bones operate in conjunction with muscles to hold the body together and support mobility in a system referred to as the musculoskeletal system. According to the National Institute of Health, bones principally safeguard the body’s delicate interior organs.
Fibrous dysplasia is one of the many rare diseases that can affect bones. The condition remains largely understudied due to its rare nature. This makes it difficult for scientists to develop fibrous dysplasia cure. This article will examine the possible causes, symptoms, and natural remedies for fibrous dysplasia.
What Are Bone Diseases?
Bone diseases are conditions that affect bone functionality and strength. Bone diseases can develop anytime in a person’s life for several reasons, such as genetics, environment, food, and infections. These disorders can weaken bones, making them brittle. There are various types of bone diseases. Fibrous dysplasia is one of the persistent bone conditions where normal bone is replaced by abnormal tissue.
What Is Fibrous Dysplasia?
Fibrous dysplasia is a chronic bone disease where normal bone is replaced by fibrous scar tissue. Over time, the fibrous tissue weakens the bone and increases the risk of abnormally shaped bones and fractures. Typically, fibrous dysplasia affects children between the ages of 3 and 15, but it can occasionally go undiagnosed until adulthood.
Both males and females are equally affected by fibrous dysplasia. The exact prevalence of the disease is difficult to estimate and remains widely unknown owing to the challenge of diagnosing mild cases. Any bone in the body can be affected by the condition. However, it only affects the bones on one side of the body for most people. The following bones are frequently affected by fibrous dysplasia
- Face and skull bones.
- Femur (thigh bone)
- Tibia and fibula (leg bones)
- Ribs
- Pelvis
- Humerus (upper arm bone).
- Vertebrae in the spine
Although Fibrous Dysplasia presents with lesions that may be referred to as tumours, these growths are non-cancerous. Only in exceedingly rare situations may fibrous dysplasia lesions become cancerous. A disorder known as McCune-Albright syndrome, which affects the bone, skin, and endocrine (hormone-producing) organs, can occur alone or in conjunction with the disease.
Craniofacial Fibrous Dysplasia
Craniofacial fibrous dysplasia arises when healthy bone on the head is replaced by fibrous scar-like tissues. Craniofacial fibrous dysplasia may result in facial asymmetry and shifting of facial features, such as nasal airway obstruction, and bent jaw positioning, among other issues. In advanced cases, surgery might be needed as an urgent fibrous dysplasia skull treatment option.
Causes of Fibrous Dysplasia
Fibrous dysplasia is an uninheritable condition, meaning the disease cannot be passed down from parents to offspring. It is caused by a gene mutation in the affected individual. This gene mutation occurs in the developmental stage of life when the baby is in the womb. Fibrous dysplasia cannot spread from one bone to another. The altered gene prevents the maturation of bone-forming cells. Instead, they cause some specific bones to generate aberrant fibrous tissue.
Types of Fibrous Dysplasia
There are two types of fibrous dysplasia. These are namely monostotic and polyostotic fibrous dysplasia.
Monostotic fibrous dysplasia describes the condition when a patient suffers damage to one bone in the body.
Polyostotic fibrous dysplasia is characterized by expanding scar tissues that affect several bones. According to some reports, the monostotic form is four times more frequent than the polyostotic variant.
How Is Fibrous Dysplasia Diagnosed?
To know if a person has fibrous dysplasia, one of the following tests may be prescribed, depending on the location and intensity of symptoms:
X-rays
X-rays are the most common test used by physicians to diagnose fibrous dysplasia. An x-ray can identify fractures and malformed bones and assess the disease’s bone structure.
Computed Tomography Or Magnetic Resonance Imaging(CT).
When assessing the skull and face bones for disease, these tests offer precise images evaluated by a computer. This would help a clinician to make an informed decision for fibrous dysplasia skull treatment.
Bone Scanning
Examining the entire skeleton enables medical professionals to gauge the disease’s impact on the body’s bone structure. Bone scanning provides detailed information about the properties and structure of each bone.
Bone biopsy
Bone biopsy is a painful process and less often employed. In this test, a small sample of bone tissue from an area afflicted by the illness is removed and examined under a microscope. This is required for a physician to make a final decision on fibrous dysplasia treatment guidelines.
Endocrine examination
This comprises hormones and blood tests which can be required when the disease involves symptoms caused by hormonal imbalance. This is especially useful for determining the presence of the McCune-Albright syndrome, which is closely related to polyostotic type fibrous dysplasia.
Signs and Symptoms of Fibrous Dysplasia
Every individual may experience varying symptoms. While some people may be heavily affected, others may show mild or no symptoms and may not require a fibrous dysplasia treatment program. The most common signs and symptoms of fibrous dysplasia include:
- Bone malformation
- Broken bones
- Bone ache (which happens when the fibrous tissue expands in the bone)
- Scoliosis (a sideways curve of the spine)
- Hearing or vision problems If the skull is affected
- Facial pain and swelling
- Facial deformities
- Nerve entrapment
In rare cases, fibrous dysplasia goes hand-in-hand with endocrine system problems. In this case, symptoms may include:
- Light brown spots on the skin
- Premature puberty
- Thyroid issues
Complications of Fibrous Dysplasia
Extreme fibrous dysplasia may result in any of the following:
Bone fracture or malformation
An affected bone may bend due to a weak area in the bone. Additionally, these bones are more prone to breaking.
Complete loss of hearing and vision
The eye and ear nerves may be encircled by the damaged bone. Loss of eyesight and hearing due to severe facial bone malformation can result but is a rare consequence according to studies.
Arthritis
Arthritis may develop in the joints of the pelvic and thigh bones if these areas become malformed.
Cancer
Although it is rare, a compromised bone region due to fibrous dysplasia can become cancerous. A report suggests people who have previously received radiation therapy are typically the only ones who experience this unusual consequence.
Treatment of Fibrous Dysplasia
Generally, there is no known fibrous dysplasia cure due to inadequate knowledge of the disease. Strategy for treatment centers on assisting patients in comprehending the severity and area of bone affected. Depending on the type, several treatment options can be provided to reduce complications or address symptoms. Some non-surgical options for fibrous dysplasia treatment include:
- Use of braces to prevent fracture in weakened bones
- Growth hormone therapy
- Medications such as painkillers(bisphosphonates) may also be employed to treat both acute and persistent bone pain
- Physical therapy
Surgery may then be required to straighten deformed bones and enhance comfort and quality of life. Surgical operations can involve:
- Remodeling of joints
- Reconstruction of clubfoot or flat foot
- Reconstruction of the hip or knee for instability or deformity
- Spinal stabilization and decompression
- Correction of kyphosis and scoliosis
- Joint replacement
Natural Remedies for Fibrous Dysplasia
With the help of natural products and supplements, rare diseases can be naturally gotten rid of before or after they affect a person. The following are supplements that can serve as natural remedies for fibrous dysplasia.
Calcium
Calcium is a crucial part of bone formation. Foods and beverages high in this mineral can aid in the healing of scar tissues and help you develop strong bones. Calcium combines with collagen to form bones. The bones and teeth contain most (almost 99%) of the calcium in the body. Dietary sources include: dairy foods, such as milk, cheese, and yogurt
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is a bone-healing vitamin and is an effective natural remedy for fibrous dysplasia in people with the disease. It plays a key role in calcium absorption, utilization, and bone mineralization. Vitamin D is a critical micronutrient that promotes bone health and serves as a natural treatment for fibrous dysplasia. Spending a modest amount of time outside daily is a great way to provide vitamin D to your skin. Food items, including egg yolks and fatty fish, also naturally contain a rich amount of vitamin D.
Magnesium and Phosphorus
Magnesium and phosphorus are two other elements crucial to bone health that can serve as a remedy for fibrous dysplasia. Magnesium aids in the absorption and storage of calcium in the bones and helps to improve regeneration. According to research, supplements of Magnesium are a powerful remedy for bone diseases. On the other hand, phosphorous is an essential component of bones. The bones and teeth contain about 85% of all the phosphorus in the body.
Vitamin K
In addition to its involvement in blood clotting, vitamin K may also help treat or prevent bone diseases, according to some specialists. Several publications have pointed out prevalent bone formation issues in people with low vitamin K levels. Getting enough vitamin K from food may help maintain strong bones.
Omega-3 fatty acids
Omega-3 fatty acids are another crucial nutrient that supports bone health. It is largely abundant in salmon and other fatty fish. Omega-3 fatty acids, strengthen bones and help to accelerate bone healing processes. This makes it a great supplement for fibrous dysplasia treatment. Salmons is a greater source of omega-3 fatty acids.
Other Natural Remedies for Fibrous Dysplasia
1. Keep a healthy weight
Studies have indicated a direct relationship between bone health and weight. Underweight people have a higher risk of acquiring bone diseases, while overweight people place additional strain on their bones.
It is advisable to refrain from losing weight quickly. Fluctuating between weight gains and losses can increase the severity of fibrous dysplasia in people affected by the disease.
2. Vegetable consumption
A great way to improve bone health and treat fibrous dysplasia is to add an acute amount of vegetables to your diet. Veggies contain fiber and minerals necessary to maintain healthy bone formation. Vegetables also contain vitamin C, which is frequently included in most discussions about preventing bone deterioration.
Veggies support bone development in children and maintain bone strength and density in adults. Servings of broccoli, cabbage, and other green veggies provide potassium and polyphenols, which prevents bone loss and maintains bone organization.
3. Increasing protein intake
Protein is crucial for maintaining bone health and density. Therefore it’s essential to have enough of it in your diet. A study indicated that those who consumed more protein experienced an increase in overall bone density. Subjects who consumed more protein also had fewer forearm fractures.
4. Give up smoking
Although smoking is frequently linked to lung cancer and breathing problems, it can also lead to bone diseases like osteoporosis and raise the risk of fibrous dysplasia. Smoking should be avoided to ensure healthy bone density, especially in adolescence and the early years of adulthood.
5. Limiting your alcohol intake
Alcohol use in moderation is unlikely to impact a person’s bone health. But heavy, persistent drinking can impair calcium absorption, reduce bone density, and increase the risk of fibrous dysplasia in later life. The greatest risk is among young women who drink excessively in their teens and early 20s.
Conclusion
Fibrous dysplasia cannot be cured in any known way. This increases the chances of people turning attention to possible natural remedies for fibrous dysplasia. In the same light, more energy is geared toward studying the prospect of using natural remedies for rare diseases. These proven remedies discussed on our list of effective natural treatments for fibrous dysplasia can help you relieve the severity of the disease and improve your quality of life. Make sure to include these items as part of your diet to help build and protect your bones.
Post Disclaimer
The information contained in this post "10 Powerful Natural Remedies for Fibrous Dysplasia" is for educational purposes only. Always consult your primary care doctor before using the remedies that are provided. The information is provided by The Hidden Cures and while we do timely, in-depth research on the information that we provide to you, everything stated may not be up to date or accurate from the time it was written.