Osteomyelitis Symptoms, Causes and Diagnosis

Bone infections are especially dangerous as they can destroy the skeleton completely. One of the disorders which make persons feel like their bones are smashed or cracked is a so-called osteomyelitis. It is a serious bone infection which quickly spreads over the body using bones as the bridges.

Once it achieves the main target, bloodstream, the infection becomes rather dangerous and even life threatening. It may also expand from the tissue close to the bloodstream. The problem takes place inside the damaged bone. A disease processes the injured bone to microorganisms. Lower extremities and upper areas of top extremities are usually infected, especially when talking about little patients. As for the grown-up population, osteomyelitis will most likely occur in the spine (a.k.a. vertebrae).

There are different types of osteomyelitis. Just like in case with many other diseases, it is difficult to categorize it into one class. The most common signs of this health issue involve painful sensation inside the bone and in the areas around, which varies from mild to advanced level. The damaged parts of the body may get pinky, reddish, or purple. Swelling and annoyance are two other symptoms of osteomyelitis. People with such diagnosis get quickly tired and remain exhausted even after having a good sleep.

The ongoing fever is supported by the changes in body temperature. The person may be rather cold and become hotter than hell all of a sudden. It makes such people sweat, especially at night, preventing them from having a healthy night rest. Lethargy and fatigue are the outcomes of this symptom. People with osteomyelitis can also notice drainage effect from any open scar. The wounds need more time to require around the injured areas of the body. The limbs of the patient swell, especially the lower extremities. They include feet and legs. Thus, the person starts walking weirdly as it becomes hard to move in the same way due to pains and swelling sensation.

Chronic type of osteomyelitis has hidden signs, difficult to detect. These signs may resemble the symptoms of a regular bone trauma.The wounds need more time to require around the injured areas of the body. The limbs of the patient swell, especially the lower extremities. They include feet and legs. Thus, the person starts walking weirdly as it becomes hard to move in the same way due to pains and swelling sensation. Chronic type of this disease has hidden signs, difficult to detect. These signs may resemble the symptoms of a regular bone trauma.

It is time to think about the sources of osteomyelitis. Any health care provider will name a staphylococcus bacteria as the core issue. The worst thing is that this bacteria is present in 100% healthy people throughout their whole life. These germs can be discovered on the body’s surface or in the nose. The point is that they remain deactivated until the time comes (or if it ever comes). The bacteria then becomes part of the bone; it penetrates it in many different manners.

The most popular way to join is through bloodstream just as most of the infections. Keep in mind that any naturally born germs may transfer from one part of the organism to another without specific obstacles. An example may be pneumonia, which occurs in the lungs. Avoid open scars – treat them immediately.

How to diagnose various types of osteomyelitis? With the symptoms popping out one by one, go the doctor. Your health care provider should test the injured region of the skin to detect the obvious symptoms. Those are sensitivity, swelling, and some other visible factors. Show your current medical history and reports. Describe the condition carefully – don’t miss a sign. Tell more about the latest accidents or surgeons, perhaps, you can recall any previous infections.

Extra tools for proper diagnosis involve: blood examinations, biopsy, imaging exams (x-ray or CT), and more. It is important to check every injury. Mind that the first two weeks, the physician may not see the traumas clearly, even with MRI.