Every year on Jan. 11, Paget’s Awareness Day is commemorated to raise awareness about the disease. What is Paget’s disease? It is a disease that disrupts replacing old bone tissue with new bone tissue. Some common areas affected by Paget’s disease include the pelvis, spine, and skull. It is known to affect those who are older than 50 years of age.

While the cause of Paget’s disease is unknown, there is research still going on to find out the factor of Paget’s disease. According to a theory, possible factors that contribute to Paget’s disease include a combination of environmental and genetic factors.

There are many symptoms of Paget’s disease. One of those symptoms include bone or joint pain. Another symptom is the skin feeling warm over the affected bone. Additionally, another known symptom is changes in the bone shape. To add to that, another symptom includes a shooting pain that travels along or across the body, numbness and tingling (peripheral neuropathy), or balance problems.

Over time the disease slowly progresses which results in complications. Some of those complications include fractures and deformities, osteoarthritis, neurological problems, heart failure, and even bone cancer.

Although there are no known ways to prevent Paget’s disease, research states that its good to eat a healthy diet with sufficient calcium and vitamin D. Also, its never too late to start getting regular exercise as it helps maintain skeletal health and joint mobility.