Fluoride is a lethal substance that is common in the pesticides, use in different medications and cavity prevention. When this substance is consumed excessively then it can result to skeletal fluorosis. This condition affects the bones and brings too much pain in the body which results to disorders and injuries in the skeletal system. One can consume fluoride when one inhales the smoke or fumes of coal that is use at home for fuel. You can also get it from contaminated drinking water. Most of Skeletal Fluorosis case is found in Middle East countries, Japan, China and India because of their water consumption that is high of fluoride.
Stages and Symptoms of Skeletal Fluorosis
Preclinical Stage
During this stage, the bone and blood composition is a bit abnormal since the biochemical abnormalities starts to happen. Symptoms in this stage are still unnoticeable yet the substance has distress the body already. As this stage advances, changes are now seen in the biopsies of the bones. These changes often weaken the bones and can result to more complications.
Clinical Stage
At the start of this stage, there are changes in the structure of the bones. The patient now feels more pain in the joints and bones, poor appetite and feels tired all the time. It can even lead to other conditions like gastrointestinal infections. At the end of this first phase bones are now deformed and changes in the structure of the spinal cord and pelvis is now observed.
The second phase of the stage brings more stiffening of the ligaments and frequent pain. It also leads to osteosclerosis where the bones start to generate abnormal crystalline structure so that the joints in the elbow and knee begin to produce bony spurs.
The last phase of this stage is referred to as crippling skeletal fluorosis since movement is difficult to the patient because in this stage the spinal chord completely merge which makes the patient handicap.
Symptoms of arthritis and skeletal fluorosis are quite the same so that healthcare professionals often mistake it with the former medical condition. Even at the early stage it is hard to diagnose since pain is less and besides most individuals only think its time to go to their doctor when they feel severe pain and discomfort. This condition can still be treated when identified early. It can be treated by stopping the intake of fluorine. The process of freeing the body from this toxic substance is slow.
Prevention is always better than cure so that one should be observant with what they drink. Know that this disease is often spread through drinking water and any other product like toothpaste and even mouthwash. Thus it is important that such consumption should be carefully monitored and it is better to keep the children away from these products. You will know if children has consume large amount of this products since it can cause them abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting and nausea. You can also prevent diseases if you eat a balance diet which consists of sufficient nutrients and always maintain a healthy lifestyle.