Hypocalcemia denotes the lack of calcium in the blood. Since calcium is important for a variety of body functions, deficiency can lead to bone, muscle, and nerve damage.
What is hypocalcemia?
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calcium is essential for the health and vitality of the body. It plays an important role in bone growth, within nerve and brain function, in cell growth and in muscle contraction.
If the calcium level in the blood falls below a critical level, it is called hypocalcemia. People with hypocalcemia may not notice any symptoms, especially at the onset of the disease. But the burden increases the more serious the disease becomes. These can manifest themselves as muscle twitching, nervous reflexes, stinging in the hands and feet, or an irregular heartbeat.
Hypocalcaemia in newborns is particularly critical. The deficiency can have a negative impact on the child's growth and healthy development. If newborns show signs of muscle or nerve twitching, are trembling, or are difficult to feed, a doctor should be seen to diagnose possible hypocalcemia and initiate treatment.
causes
The reasons for low calcium levels are suspected to be an underactive adrenal gland. This regulates the calcium content in the entire body. Apart from that, too much phosphorus can be a cause of Hypocalcemia because it lowers calcium levels.
Even low levels of the protein albumin produced in the liver can depress calcium levels. The absorption of calcium through food, in addition to vitamin D and magnesium, is also important for the body's calcium balance. Foods high in calcium include dairy products, spinach, broccoli, or oranges.
The most common causes of hypocalcemia are other diseases. Hypocalcemia is a serious side effect here. These include: alcoholism, kidney or liver problems, malnutrition, malnutrition (lack of calcium in food).
Symptoms, ailments & signs
Hypocalcemia manifests itself as deficiency symptoms such as tiredness and reduced physical and mental performance. Cardiac arrhythmias and chest pain can occur in the heart area. In some patients, the cardiac pumping function decreases, which can lead to heart failure. Furthermore, hypocalcemia can cause gastrointestinal complaints.
Diarrhea and constipation are typical, but also nausea and vomiting. In individual cases, heartburn and inflammation in the throat area occur. The symptoms usually appear insidious and persist until the electrolyte disturbance is balanced. The symptoms then slowly subside, although long-term consequences can also remain, depending on the severity of the individual symptoms.
For example, chronic heart failure can occur or permanent damage to the gastrointestinal tract occurs. If left untreated, hypocalcemia can develop into a chronic condition. Chronic hypocalcemia can lead to disorders of hair and nail growth.
Occasionally, tartar, tooth decay, or another tooth disorder develops. This is accompanied by psychological changes, for example depression and anxiety. Furthermore, the chronic form can lead to a persistent feeling of illness. Those affected often feel tired and exhausted or are listless.
Diagnosis & course
The diagnosis of Hypocalcemia done by a blood test. In most cases, the doctor will recognize the deficiency before the patient discovers the symptoms in themselves.
Once hypocalcemia is diagnosed, additional blood tests will usually follow to check the quality of kidney functions and to test the levels of magnesium, adrenal hormones, magnesium and phosphorus in the blood.
Further testing will be considered if the cause of the hypocalcemia cannot be clearly identified. Aside from checking the blood serum, hypocalcaemia can also be determined by an increased level of phosphorus in the urine.
Complications
The hypocalcemia leads to various symptoms. As a rule, the extent of the symptoms strongly depends on the severity of the calcium deficiency, which is why no general prediction is possible. The affected person usually suffers from muscle wasting and can no longer easily carry out physical or sporting activities.
If the lack of calcium persists over a long period of time, it can damage the nerves, causing paralysis or sensory disturbances in the patient. These can make everyday life much more difficult. The function of the brain is also restricted by the hypocalcemia and it can lead to concentration disorders or thinking disorders.
The patient often feels sick and weak and has a decreased pulse. Furthermore, there may be problems with the kidneys, whereby in the worst case the patient is dependent on dialysis. Treatment of hypocalcemia does not lead to complications in most cases.
It can be acute with infusions or with the help of a healthy and balanced diet. If necessary, the underlying disease that is responsible for the hypocalcemia must also be treated. Life expectancy is reduced if there is no treatment.
When should you go to the doctor?
If symptoms such as muscle wasting and an increasing feeling of illness are noticed, the cause may be hypocalcaemia. A visit to the family doctor is necessary if the symptoms mentioned do not subside within a few days. If there are other complaints such as paralysis or sensory disorders, a doctor must be consulted promptly. If you feel very ill, possibly associated with kidney problems, the emergency services should be alerted. Damage to the internal organs may already have occurred which, if left untreated, can lead to serious complications.
In principle, untreated hypocalcemia severely limits life expectancy, which is why the disease must be clarified and treated in any case. People diagnosed with underactive adrenal gland are particularly prone to developing hypocalcaemia. Malnutrition, alcoholism or kidney or liver problems are also possible triggers. Anyone who belongs to these risk groups should consult a doctor with the symptoms mentioned. In addition to the general practitioner, a specialist in internal medicine is the right contact.
Doctors & therapists in your area
Treatment & Therapy
Hypocalcemia is treated with infusions to ensure healthy calcium levels in the body. These infusions may be combined with supplements that are taken orally.
If the hypocalcemia was caused by an underlying disease, that cause is treated as well. In some cases, hypocalcaemia will resolve on its own. This is all the more likely if there are no noticeable symptoms. The treating physician must decide on an individual basis which type of treatment is the right one. In newborns, treatment tends to focus on precise control of health and body weight, tolerance to food, drugs and therapies; and a parent's preference for a particular treatment.
Untreated hypocalcemia can seriously affect a newborn's health. But the effects on an adult should not be underestimated either. In order to avoid further dangers, the instructions of the doctor should be followed meticulously. Consequential damage can be: damage to nerve and brain function; Osteomalacia: soft and weak bones due to a lack of vitamin D during growth; Osteoporosis: thinning and weakening of bones; deteriorated growth; Convulsive disease: hyperactivity of the nerves that causes severe pain.
prevention
To prevent Hypocalcemia a healthy lifestyle should be observed. Above all, this includes a balanced, healthy diet. Regular consumption of foods high in vitamin D promotes the absorption and processing of calcium in the body. This includes tofu, milk, almonds, oats and cabbage.
In addition, alcohol should be avoided as it releases the magnesium reserves and consequently leads to hypocalcemia. The additional intake of calcium tablets can also regulate the supply.
Aftercare
There is no special aftercare for hypocalcaemia for those affected. The exact type of therapy and the subsequent measures depend on the individual clinical picture and the cause. In any case, patients should watch out for any complications in order to avoid deterioration in their health. The medical advice on reducing calcium intake from food must be observed.
In this context, food control is a relevant factor. A corresponding change in diet thus becomes the focus of aftercare. In addition, patients should drink enough fluids to avoid an excess of calcium or to speed up excretion. After the actual treatment, it is important for those affected that the disease does not recur.
That is why the doctors are concerned with a precise investigation of the cause. Knowing the cause is a better way to avoid getting sick again. Depending on the severity of the poisoning, the attending physician may also recommend medication. Patients should take these as directed during the follow-up phase. A good health awareness helps to successfully combat the complications and prevent relapse.
You can do that yourself
In some cases, hypocalcaemia will resolve on its own. However, if the calcium deficiency persists, symptoms arise that require treatment. The person affected should definitely consult a doctor and have the deficiency symptoms clarified. In addition to medical treatment, some self-help measures can be taken to alleviate the symptoms.
As a first measure, the diet should be changed. A diet with lots of sesame, Emmental, almonds, kale and spinach provides the body with sufficient calcium. In addition, a lot of fluids should be drunk in order to stimulate the metabolism and thus promote the supply of calcium. It is best to keep a food diary to accompany this, because this is the only way to determine the causes of hypocalcemia in the long term and then gradually eliminate them.
In the first few days after a medical infusion, bed rest and rest is recommended. The person concerned should also refrain from exercising. If the symptoms have not subsided after a few days or weeks, the doctor must be informed. Another infusion may be required or the hypocalcaemia may have a serious condition that needs to be diagnosed and treated.
