Calcium toxicity, or hypercalcemia, can result from medical complications or excessive calcium intake. It can cause kidney problems, brittle bones, and muscle weakness. Hyperparathyroidism and certain cancers can also cause calcium toxicity. Treatment involves increasing fluid and salt intake and taking diuretics.
Calcium toxicity refers to an overabundance of calcium within the human body, also known as hypercalcemia. It can result from medical complications that include disease and hormonal imbalances, or from excessive calcium intake. A healthy diet generally requires 1,000 mg of calcium per day. One of the most prevalent minerals within the human body, calcium is largely held by the skeleton and teeth.
Healthy bones and teeth, muscle contraction, and adequate nerve function all require calcium. It is also vital for cardiovascular health. Low levels of calcium cause bones to become brittle, muscles to weaken, and nerve responses to be impaired. High levels of calcium can cause kidney problems and prevent other minerals from being absorbed properly. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium and helps maintain normal calcium levels.
In an individual, calcium toxicity is a very rare occurrence. A balanced diet does not contain enough calcium to cause toxic levels in the bloodstream. In addition to vitamin D, the body produces two hormones, parathyroid hormone and calcitonin, which regulate the amount of calcium outside the skeletal structure. Parathyroid hormones release calcium from the bones when levels are low in the bloodstream, and calcitonin stops the release of calcium when levels are excessive.
About 90% of all cases of hypercalcemia are the result of hyperparathyroidism, a condition in which parathyroid hormones are overproduced. Specific types of cancer, including breast, lung, and kidney cancer, are known to cause calcium toxicity. Severe dehydration can also be a cause.
Some people who worry about getting enough calcium in their diets don’t realize that too much calcium can be dangerous, too. These individuals can take calcium supplements, leading to a daily calcium intake of more than 2,500 mg. This is considered the daily limit for calcium intake and shouldn’t be exceeded for more than a couple of days.
A number of body systems can be affected by calcium toxicity. Stomach pains are common and include diarrhea, nausea, and loss of appetite. Skeletal problems can also occur, causing pain and bone curvature. When the kidneys are affected, an individual can experience pain and rapid dehydration. Calcium toxicity can also lead to mental instability, including lack of concentration and memory loss.
First-line treatments for calcium toxicity involve increasing your fluid and salt intake and taking diuretics, which help your body excrete excess calcium by increasing the frequency of urination. Underlying diseases leading to hypercalcemia require treatment of the disease itself. If nonsurgical therapeutic therapies are unsuccessful, an operation may be required to remove the malfunctioning parathyroid glands.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
