According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, calcium is a mineral in the body that is essential for life. Calcium helps to build and maintain healthy bones, supports blood clot formation and assists in proper nerve functioning and muscle contraction. While most of the body's calcium supply is concentrated in the teeth and bones, calcium is also present in the blood. Most of the time, a healthy diet is enough to supply the body with enough calcium. In some cases, such as disease and old age, calcium supplements may be necessary to maintain healthy levels in the blood. Food sources of calcium include dairy products, green vegetables, fortified juices, breads and cereals.
Hypocalcemia Symptoms
The Merck Manual reports that hypocalcemia is low levels of calcium in the blood. The most common causes of hypocalcemia include problems with the parathyroid glands, poor diet, kidney disorders and certain drugs such as rifampin, some anticonvulsants and calcitonin. Moderately low levels of calcium in the blood may not immediately present symptoms. If calcium levels are low for a period of time, confusion, memory loss, delirium, depression and hallucinations may occur. In instances of extremely low calcium levels, tingling of the tongue, lips, fingers and feet may occur.
Other symptoms of severe hypocalcemia include muscles aches, muscle spasms and stiffening, seizures and irregular heart rhythms. Treatment of symptomatic hypocalcemia includes intravenous calcium infusions. Oral calcium supplements as well as vitamin D supplements may be prescribed to help maintain calcium levels once corrected. According to the Merck Manual, vitamin D helps increase the absorption of calcium in the digestive tract. Anyone experiencing symptoms of hypocalcemia should consult a physician for evaluation.
Hypercalcemia Symptoms
MayoClinic.com reports that hypercalcemia is high levels of calcium in the blood. Causes of hypercalcemia include overactivity of the parathyroid glands, cancer of the breast, bone, or lung and diseases such as tuberculosis and sarcoidosis. Other causes of hypercalcemia include medications such as lithium and some diuretics, dehydration and an overuse of calcium supplements.
Mild to moderate hypercalcemia may not present any symptoms. Severe hypercalcemia may include symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, excessive thirst, loss of appetite and frequent urination. Other symptoms of hypercalcemia are abdominal pain, constipation, muscle weakness, confusion, fatigue and joint aches. A physician should be consulted about these symptoms.
Hypercalcemia Treatments
According to MayoClinic.com, patients with severe hypercalcemia may need to be hospitalized in order to reduce calcium levels in the blood to a safe level. Treatment for hypercalcemia may include intravenous fluids for rehydration and diuretic medications such as furosemide to flush the excess calcium from the body and keep the kidneys functioning well. Intravenous medications such as Aredia and Zometa may be given if the cause of hypercalcemia is due to bone breakdown, as is the case in some cancers. These medications help to slow bone breakdown and stabilize calcium levels in the blood.
Other medication therapy may include calcitonin and glucocorticoids. In severe cases when kidney function is impaired, patients may require hemodialysis in order to filter excess calcium from the blood. If overactive parathyroid glands are the cause of the hypercalcemia, surgery may be required to remove the affected gland or glands.
