PAGET'S DISEASE OF BONE

Paget's disease is a chronic disease that affects bone. Bone normally goes through a process of breaking down and reforming. In Paget's, the body makes more new bone than it breaks down. The new bone is fragile and weak. The bones of the skull, spine, thigh bone, shin bone, and pelvis are affected more frequently. It may affect just one bone or several bones.

Paget's disease is the second most common bone disorder after osteoporosis. The cause is unknown. It is thought to be caused by a slow growing virus. The disease may also be passed down from family members. It occurs in both men and women and is most common in people over 40. It is more common in people in the United Kingdom, or people whose families are originally from the United Kingdom.

Many people that have the disease never have any noticeable symptoms. The symptoms vary in individuals with the disease. The changes occurring with the disease usually progress slowly, but can get worse very fast. Paget's may be found by accident when x-rays are taken for another reason. The most common symptoms are bone pain, a deformed bone, a broken bone, or arthritis-like symptoms. If the skull is the bone involved, there may be headaches, a loss of hearing, or the skull may get larger than normal. Once Paget's has been found in a person, the bone or bones involved at that time are the only ones that will ever be involved.

Healthcare providers use x-rays to find out if a person has Paget's disease. A blood test can check for a high level of alkaline phosphatase in the blood, which may suggest Paget's disease. People with family members with Paget's may want to have an alkaline phosphatase test done every 2 to 3 years after the age of 40. If it is too high, the provider may want to do more testing for Paget's.

Many people with Paget's do not need any treatment. If treatment is needed, a group of drugs called bisphosphonates may be used. These drugs should be taken with a full 8-ounce glass of water on an empty stomach. Sometimes another type of drug called calcitonins may be used. These are given by an injection three times a week. People with Paget's may need to take calcium every day along with vitamin D. Getting out in sunshine for about 20 minutes every day is also important.

Often after treatment with the medication, the disease will go into remission. After remission, it may still be necessary to see the provider every 6 months, and have more blood tests.

People with Paget's disease are more likely to have kidney stones. To help prevent kidney stones, it is important to drink at least 64 ounces (1.9 liters) of water a day.

Exercise is very important to keep bones strong and to keep joints moving. It also helps to keep weight under control to limit the stress on weight-bearing bones. Check with a healthcare provider find out what exercise is best for your condition, as too much stress on bones may cause them to break.

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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