The lack of calcium in the body can cause rickets and other unpleasant diseases. Especially bad this condition affects the heart and blood vessels. Having discovered the first symptoms of hypocalcemia, you should immediately consult a doctor.
Causes of hypocalcemia
Calcium in the human body is contained in bone tissue and blood plasma. And, if we get less calcium together with food, or if it is poorly digested, the percentage of the macronutrient in the blood is regulated by the excretion of calcium from the bones. As a result, a man begins to develop diseases of the musculoskeletal system. If these measures do not help to saturate the blood with sufficient amounts of calcium, neuro-brain activity and heart function worsen significantly.
The most common causes of calcium deficiency are:
- malnutrition;
- endocrinological diseases and hormonal imbalance;
- lack of vitamin D, without which the macronutrient is not absorbed;
- kidney failure;
- pancreatitis ;
- cancer;
- taking certain medications, especially those aimed at treating hypercalcemia.
In fact, this list can be continued almost indefinitely, the slightest deviation in metabolism risks leading to the development of hypocalcemia. But most often the disease occurs in people who eat poorly and have insufficient time to conduct in the sun, as a result of which the production of vitamin D stops.
The main signs of hypocalcemia
Symptoms of hypocalcemia do not appear immediately after the onset of the disease. Usually, it is diagnosed at random, when a person gives a general blood test to identify another disease. You can also detect hypocalcemia on the ECG, calcium deficiency affects the heart rate and is very noticeable in cardiograms. The visible signs of hypocalcemia include:
- brittle nails;
- hair loss;
- dry skin;
- fast fatiguability;
- nervous irritability and sleep disturbances;
- memory and vision impairment;
- convulsions and paresis in the limbs;
- numbness of fingers and toes, tingling sensation
- in severe cases - deformation of bones and muscle atrophy.
Sometimes a person may have only one symptom, so it is not easy to detect hypocalcemia. In order to prevent the disease, follow the diet and go through medical examination at least once a year. This will help to avoid serious complications.