$Unique_ID{BRK00424}
$Pretitle{Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue}
$Title{What Causes Paget's Disease?}
$Subject{Paget's treatment}
$Volume{M-17}
$Log{
Management of Paget's Disease*0007801.scf}

Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


What Causes Paget's Disease?


------------------------------------------------------------------------------

QUESTION:  I am a long time sufferer from Paget's Disease, and find it
difficult to believe that all that can be offered as treatment are some simple
pain pills.  Can you tell me a bit about this disease, what causes it and
what medications can possibly help me?

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ANSWER:  Your desire to know more about your condition makes you the kind of
reader I enjoy responding to, in the hopes that this information can be of
help to you.  Paget's disease of the bone (also called osteitis deformans) is
a chronic disease occurring in adults where hyperactive bone is replaced by a
softer bony like structure, in various parts of the skeleton, such as the
pelvis, thigh bone and skull.  Bone is in constant state of remodeling, a
process of breakdown and build up.  However in Paget's, the new bone is faulty
and can not perform all the duties of normal bone.  The cause is unknown, but
about 3% of adults over the age of 40 suffer from the condition, with men more
commonly affected, in about a 3 to 2 ratio over women.  Many times there are
no symptoms, but when they do occur they include pain, stiffness, headaches,
some loss of hearing, increasing skull size and a general feeling of weariness
and loss of energy.  The diagnosis is often made by chance on an x-ray taken
for other reasons, which shows the typical pattern of bone growth.  Generally
pain may be controlled by salicylates and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
medications such as ibuprofen.  Two other medications are used to successfully
treat and control the condition.  Etidronate disodium may be taken in a dose
of 5 to 10 mg per kilogram of body weight, in a single dose each day for 6
months.  Synthetic salmon calcitonin may also be effective.
ÿ
----------------

The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
