You probably ingest the mineral calcium every day. It's in a variety of foods, including dairy products such as milk and cheese, fruits such as apples and grapes, meats such as beef and pork, and even breakfast cereals. The mineral, aided in its absorption by vitamin D, supports your bones and teeth. If you don't get enough calcium in your diet, such as when you pass through menopause, you may need a supplement. Before taking any new supplement, ask your doctor's advice about it.
Arrhythmia
Calcium affects the way your heart beats. For this reason, one of the types of drugs doctors may prescribe to treat heart ailments and high blood pressure is called a calcium channel blocker. So, when you ingest calcium as a supplement, the increased level of the mineral in your system may cause your heartbeat to become irregular, MayoClinic.com notes. A change such as this means you need medical help immediately. Call your doctor if your heart rate changes, or go to the hospital.
Digestive Problems
Getting used to a new calcium supplement can take a little time. During that adjustment, you may experience minor problems in your gastrointestinal system. Calcium supplements may make you lose your usual appetite for a short time. You may feel nauseated because of the supplement's actions. The nausea may feel strong enough to cause vomiting. Such side effects often end on their own. Query your doctor if you feel you have severe gastric disturbances from the calcium supplements.
Thirst
Calcium supplements can force more liquid out of your body than normal through urination and sweating. This most often occurs at the start of a calcium supplement regimen and then desists. If you feel unusually thirsty, call your doctor, as thirst is a serious side effect of calcium, states MayoClinic.com.
Skin Flushing
When you are embarrassed, your face and skin may turn warm and red, producing a sudden sweat. Calcium supplements, too, can produce this same effect, called flushing. It is a common side effect, states MayoClinic.com. If you continue to experience flushing as bothersome, talk to your doctor.
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