Calcium is an important mineral in many of the body's functions and processes. According to the NIH's Office of Nutritional Supplements, it is the most abundant mineral in the body, stored mostly in your bones and teeth. Hypocalcemia, a condition in which the level of calcium in the bloods stream is lower than normal, can cause serious medical problems, including seizures.
Causes of Low Calcium
Hypocalcemia results from too little absorption of calcium from the gut, excess loss of calcium in the urine, or not enough calcium mobilized from the bones into the bloodstream. According to the Merck Manuals, low calcium can result from vitamin D deficiency, as vitamin D is integral in the absorption of calcium from the small intestine; from low parathyroid hormone, as this hormone is also important in stimulating the release of calcium from bone when the level of calcium in the bloodstream falls; and from kidney damage, which impairs the reabsorption of calcium from the filtered urine.
Symptoms
Initially, low calcium levels may not cause any symptoms. As the level decreases, a person may feel confused, and may have hallucinations, memory loss, and depression. Because of calcium's importance in muscle movement and in the function of the nervous system, hypocalcemia can cause muscle aches, spasms, stiffening of the muscles; tingling sensations in the face, mouth, lips, fingers and toes; and seizures. Tetany, a type of painful stiffening and spasms of muscles, can also occur, and may be mistaken for seizures.
Types of Seizures
Most seizures due to low calcium are generalized tonic-clonic seizures. This type of seizure, also known as a grand-mal seizure, involves the whole body in a rhythmic contracting and loosening of muscles, with muscle rigidity and loss of consciousness. During these seizures, the person may become incontinent, losing control of both bladder and bowel, and have difficulty breathing.
Treatment and Prevention
The most important aspect of treating a seizure is making sure the patient is able to breathe and that blood flow to the organs is not compromised. Seizure medicines can be administered if the seizure is prolonged. Once the low calcium level is detected by blood analysis, intravenous calcium supplementation can be given. For prevention, oral calcium and vitamin D supplements can prevent low calcium levels in the bloodstream. If kidney damage is causing hypocalcemia, medicines called thiazide diuretics can decrease the excretion of calcium in the urine.
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