High calcium, or hypercalcemia, is an abnormally high calcium concentration in your bloodstream. This often is caused by too much calcium released from your bones, which can lead to the development of kidney stones and calcification of soft tissues, particularly in your joints, blood vessels and heart, according to Dr. Gordon Wardlaw, author of "Perspectives in Nutrition." With proper medical intervention and self-help at home, you can prevent the negative consequences of having high calcium levels in your blood.
Causes
There are many causes of high calcium levels in your blood, including overactivity of the parathyroid gland, certain diseases, dehydration and consuming too much calcium in supplemental form, says MayoClinic.com. The parathyroid glands produce the parathyroid hormone that stimulates your bones to release calcium in your bloodstream when blood calcium concentration is low. Sometimes, these glands overreact and release too much parathyroid hormone in your body, leading to hypercalcemia.
Lung cancer, breast cancer and blood cancers, such as multiple myeloma, increase your risk of hypercalcemia. Some of these tumors produce a protein that acts like parathyroid hormone, which stimulates the release of calcium from your bones into your blood.
Too much intake of calcium supplements and lack of weight-bearing exercises can lead to hypercalcemia, says the Linus Pauling Institute of Oregon State University. When you do not perform exercises that place stress on your muscles, bones and tissues, such as weight-lifting, hiking or dancing, the rate at which your bones absorb calcium to make them stronger is less than the rate at which your bones release calcium.
Symptoms
Mild hypercalcemia symptoms include nausea, fatigue, vomiting, excessive thirst, loss of appetite and constipation. Severe symptoms include confusion, delirium and coma, and all require immediate medical attention, says the Linus Pauling Institute. Long-term hypercalcemia can damage your kidneys, cause heart arrhythmia and lead to osteoporosis.
Treatment and Prevention
Proper hydration and weight-bearing exercises are the best ways to prevent hypercalcemia, in addition to watching your calcium intake. Dehydration lowers the amount of fluids in your body, which leads to higher concentrations of calcium in your bloodstream. Wardlaw recommends that you perform low-impact exercises daily, such as walking or stair-climbing, while incorporating high-impact exercises three to five days a week, such as weightlifting, rope jumping, dancing or running, depending on your fitness level.
For severe cases of hypercalcemia, in which you have kidney stones or loss of bone mass, your physician may recommend surgery to remove the overreacted parts of the parathyroid gland, which cures the condition in most cases. If you are not a good candidate for surgery, your physician may recommend medication, such as a cinacalcet, which mimics the functions of calcium in your body and reduces the production of parathyroid hormone. Consult your physician before taking any form of medication on your own.
Recommended Intake
The Linus Pauling Institute recommends that you do not take more the 2,500 mg of calcium per day, either through food or supplements. Adolescents and older children ages 9 to 13 should take no more than 3,000 mg of calcium per day.
References
- "Perspectives in Nutrition"; Gordon Wardlaw; 2002
- Linus Pauling Institute; Calcium; October 2007
- Mayo Clinic; Hypercalcemia; May 26, 2011
