Lack of calcium - what threatens hypocalcemia, and how to get rid of it?

The lack of calcium necessarily affects the work of the body. This macrocell takes a direct part in ensuring the correct functioning of almost all organs and systems. When his blood is less than the required amount, hypocalcemia is diagnosed.

What is hypocalcemia in humans?

This pathological condition, which occurs as a result of violations in the electrophysiological processes of the body. Lack of calcium in the body can be acute or chronic. To hypocalcemia did not have undesirable, health-threatening consequences, the cause of the decrease in the amount of a macronutrient in the blood, you should try to identify as early as possible. The problem can develop in representatives of different sex and different age categories.

Total calcium in the blood - the norm

To understand that there is a lack of calcium, you need to know how much of the element should be present in the body in the norm. In the analysis of a healthy person this substance, as a rule, is from 2.2 to 2.5 mmol / l. Hypocalcemia is diagnosed when total calcium in the blood drops to 1.87 mmol / l. The problem can also be caused by vitamin D deficiency. To establish the exact cause of the disease, a detailed examination should be carried out.

What causes a lack of calcium?

Deficiency of the macroelement can have devastating consequences. The responsibility for controlling the process of calcium metabolism lies on the parathyroid glands. In each organism there are four of them. They are small and located near the thyroid gland. As soon as the organs receive information that there is a threat of hypocalcemia, the process of enhancing bone resorption begins. Simply put, lack of calcium will affect the condition of bones - the necessary substance will gradually wash out of them. This can lead to the development of osteoporosis.

Very dangerous hypocalcemia in children. The lack of calcium in the developing organism leads to disruption of the formation of bone structures. In particularly difficult cases, the problem is multiple sclerosis. Among other things, hypocalcemia can have the following complications:

• convulsions ;
• nervous disorders;
• nervous excitability;
• changes in the lens of the eye;
• poor blood clotting.

Hypocalcemia - Causes

The lack of calcium in most cases develops against the background of hypoparathyroidism. Prolonged ischemia of the parathyroid glands or their removal leads to a sharp decrease in parathyroid hormone, a substance responsible for maintaining a normal amount of calcium ions in the blood. Because of this, the kidneys remove more elements than necessary. Slowing release of calcium and bone tissue. Some patients develop hypocalcemia after removal of the thyroid gland. To avoid this, patients after the operation are almost always appointed vitamin-mineral complexes.

The syndrome of hypocalcemia develops for other reasons:

1. Hypovitaminosis D. Lack of vitamin causes a violation of calcium absorption in the intestine.
2. Acholia. With this problem, the amount of bile in the small intestine ceases to be sufficient for the normal metabolism of vitamin D.
3. Some diseases of the intestine. Malabsorption syndrome , enteritis - and others, in which the process of calcium absorption by the walls of the body is disturbed.
4. Postpartum hypocalcemia. Develops against the backdrop of large-scale changes in the work of the body.
5. Hypoalbuminemia. With a reduced protein content in the blood, the concentration of the total serum calcium level decreases.
6. Uncompensated chronic alkalosis. This problem promotes the active binding of proteins and calcium ions.
7. Toxic shock.
8. Acceptance of some medications.

Lack of calcium symptoms

For a long time, the lack of calcium in blood can go unnoticed. The less element is stored in the body, the more pronounced the symptoms appear. Hypocalcemia acute and chronic have a similar set of symptoms. Due to the fact that calcium deficiency is often accompanied by a shortage of potassium, the problem can be recognized by the increased excitability of muscle and nerve cells. An easy degree of illness can be accompanied by a latent tetany.

Often, hypocalcemia causes severe seizures. They can affect almost all available muscle groups: beginning with those located in the limbs, ending with mimic and guttural. The development of hemorrhagic or hypocoagulation syndromes is explained by an increase in the permeability of the walls of blood vessels. Other symptoms include:

• defects of teeth;
• bronchospasm;
• tachycardia;
• memory impairment;
• dizziness;
• pain in the bones;
• insomnia;
• paresis of extremities.

Acute hypocalcemia

As a rule, manifestations of this form of the disease are always more distinct. Acute hypocalcemia symptoms is as follows:

• tetanic contractions (including laryngospasm);
• carpopedic spasm;
• hypotension;
• arrhythmia;
• bradycardia;
• congestive heart failure;
• a symptom of Khvostek (reduction of mimic muscles);
• a symptom of Tricso;
• focal / generalized convulsions;
• swelling of the optic nerve.

Chronic hypocalcemia

One of the most common manifestations of the problem is tetany. In the early stages, muscle cramps can be felt as a slight tingling around the mouth or at the fingertips. In more advanced cases, paresthesia spreads all over the face and limbs and develops into muscle twitchings. The most terrible are cramps in the intercostal muscles and diaphragm. They lead to a violation of breathing, dyspnea, hoarse voices.

Other signs of hypocalcemia:

• cataract;
• wheezing;
• dysphagia ;
• fast fatiguability;
• problems with urination;
• irritability;
• constantly depressed mood;
• arrhythmia;
• cardiac blockade;
• skin peeling;
• hair loss;
• brittle nails.

ECG - signs of hypocalcemia

A sharp decrease in the amount of the macroelement affects the slow repolarization phase, therefore, the ECG hypocalcemia can be distinguished by an elongated ST segment, an increased QT duration, and a somewhat pointed narrow T wave. In some cases, atrial dilatation is observed. Completely opposite changes indicate hypercalcemia.

How to make up for a lack of calcium in the body?

Calcium deficiency is a serious reason to reconsider and change your lifestyle as soon as possible. Treatment of hypocalcemia involves the rejection of smoking and drinking alcohol. It is desirable for fervent coffee lovers to reduce the consumption of this drink to a minimum. On an advantage to an organism regular walks on fresh air will go - the ultraviolet promotes absorption of a macronutrient. In addition, calcium preparations in tablets will help restore the balance.

Hypocalcemia - treatment, drugs

The main goal of therapy is to eliminate the cause that causes calcium leaching from the body. Appointment of drugs for hypocalcemia should a specialist, based on the results of the survey. In the acute form of the disease, it is often recommended that medications containing the missing macronutrient be administered intravenously. With chronic hypocalcemia, patients must be prescribed vitamin complexes.

The most popular calcium preparations with vitamin D3 - their list - look like this:

• Rockaltrol;
• Alfadol-Ca;
• Oxidevit;
• Ethalph;
• Osteogenon;
• Vitrum Calcium;
• Calcium-Sandoz forte;
• Calcemin;
• Osteoka;
• Scalaight;
• Vitacalsin;
• Natekal D3;
• Sana-sol;
• Elevit.

Diet for hypocalcemia

Help effectively compensate for the lack of a macronutrient food. Here's how to fill a lack of calcium in the body can:

• milk;
• sour-milk products;
• beans;
• dried fruits;
• cereals;
• sardines;
• oysters;
• vegetables;
• salmon.

There are also such products, from which during the treatment of hypocalcemia it is better to refuse - they interfere with the body to absorb calcium:

• Refined sugar and sweets;
• tomatoes;
• eggplant;
• potatoes;
• salt;
• dishes with a high content of phosphorus.