Skeletal fluorosis is a medical condition that makes the bones extremely weak and brittle and the best form of treatment currently available is to simply stay away from fluorine permanently.
When the intake of certain substances exceeds their normal consumption or quantity limit, it increases the likelihood of developing serious problems. Fluoride toxicity is the underlying cause of skeletal fluorosis and it goes virtually undetected for many years due to its gradual accumulation in the body. Poor eating habits and an unhealthy lifestyle have also lead to the problem. To prevent further changes in the bone structure, making conscious lifestyle and dietary changes to eliminate the fluoride in the body are the only available treatment options.
Skeletal fluorosis is similar to arthritis
- This often leads to a misdiagnosis of the condition even by trained medical practitioners and experienced doctors. As the intensity of the pain is minimal during the early stages of development, it becomes extremely tough to recognize and define the tell-tale signs and symptoms of the condition. More often than not, it is only after the body is put through intense pain and suffering that the person finally seeks medical help and intervention to treat the problem.
- If the symptoms are detected early, there is a high possibility of complete cure and that is through stopping the intake of fluorine. With the gradual decline in the intake of fluorine, the existing deposits of the mineral also get flushed away through urine. Though this is a natural way to flush out the excess amounts and reserves of fluorine, this process of detoxification is extremely effective because all the fluorine in the body disappears.
- In severe cases, there is no specific form of treatment and the only option left is to cope with the problem and handle the person with care as they could permanently damage the body through accidents that leads to the injuries of the bones that become increasingly susceptible to fractures due to their brittleness.
Treating skeletal fluorosis
- This condition is permanent and irreversible, but depending on the severity of the condition, a healthy and balanced diet may ease the pain and suffering that is caused as good eating habits are always beneficial and give the body a sufficient amount of nutrients that it requires.
- While dental fluorosis can be treated through microabrasion, chemical bleaching, and porcelain veneers to restores the teeth cosmetically, the only treatment for skeletal fluorosis is to defluoridate the water either by using a water filter that has reverse osmosis and distillation properties or moving to a community that has a defluoridated water supply.