What do Doctors call these Conditions?Hypocalcemia, hypercalcemia

What are these Conditions?

Calcium imbalance results tram too much or too little calcium in the blood. Too little calcium is called hypocalcemia; too much calcium, hypercalcemia. Altered calcium levels may interfere with how the body’s cells do their job as well as the formation of bones and teeth, blood clot­ting, transmission of nerve impulses, and normal muscle contraction.

Nearly all (99%) of the body’s calcium is found in the bones; the remaining 1 % exists in the blood. The body’s nervous system relies on this blood-borne calcium supply to function properly. The parathyroid glands (four small glands located in the neck) regulate blood calcium by controlling how much of it is taken up by bone, absorbed from the digestive system, and excreted in urine and feces.

What Causes Calcium Deficiency?

Causes of low calcium levels include:

• too little parathyroid hormone secretion, caused by injury, disease, or surgery

• poor absorption or loss of calcium from the digestive tract, caused by severe diarrhea or laxative abuse - or, sometimes, from lack of vitamin D or parathyroid hormone, or too little acid in the stomach

• consuming too little calcium and vitamin D

• severe infections or burns

• overcorrection of another imbalance called acidosis

• a poorly functioning pancreas

• kidney failure

• too little magnesium.

What Causes Calcium Excess?

Causes of excessive calcium include the following:

• overactive parathyroid glands

• too much vitamin D

• tumors that put calcium into the blood

• multiple fractures and prolonged inactivity

• bone cancers.

What are the Symptoms of Calcium Deficiency?

Because too little calcium causes irritated nerves and muscle spasms, the person may feel a tingling around the mouth, twitching, wrist spasm, seizures and, possibly, irregular heartbeats.

When examining a person, a doctor or nurse will look for two reliable signs of calcium deficit:

• Chvostek’s sign - a tap on the facial nerve by the earlobe that causes the person’s upper lip to twitch

• Trousseau’s sign - a blood pressure cuff applied around the arm and inflated, causing the person’s thumb and fingers to twitch.

What are the Symptoms of Calcium Excess?

The person may develop weakness, decreased muscle tone, lethargy, loss of appetite, constipation, nausea, vomiting, dehydration, extreme thirst, and frequent urination. A severe condition may lead to irregular heartbeats and, eventually, coma.

How are they Diagnosed?

The doctor will order blood tests and urine tests to measure calcium levels and determine if symptoms are related to a calcium imbalance. The doctor will perform an electrocardiogram to determine the effects of the imbalance on the person’s heart.

How is Calcium Deficiency Treated?

If calcium deficiency is mild, treatment may simply be a change in diet. The doctor may suggest a diet that includes more calcium, vitamin 0 (found in most multivitamins), and protein, possibly with oral calcium supplements.

If calcium deficiency is severe, the doctor may prescribe intravenous administration of calcium gluconate or calcium chloride. A chronic problem also requires vitamin 0 supplements to induce the digestive system to absorb the calcium.

How is Calcium Excess Treated?

Treatment primarily involves getting rid of the excess calcium by giving intravenous fluids, which promote calcium excretion in urine. The doctor may also prescribe diuretics to aid excretion of calcium and other drugs if there are complications, such as excessive vitamin o or certain tumors.