Hypomagnesemia, low blood levels of magnesium, can be caused by poor kidney function, poor magnesium absorption, and certain medications. Hospitalization, alcoholism, and heart attack patients are at high risk. Symptoms include tachycardia and confusion. Treatment depends on the underlying condition.
Hypomagnesemia is a condition characterized by low blood levels of magnesium. The kidneys control blood levels of magnesium, but poor kidney function can cause magnesium depletion. Multiple conditions can cause poor magnesium absorption and the result, hypomagnesemia, is often a serious medical condition.
One of the biggest risk factors for hypomagnesaemia is hospitalization. About 10% of patients admitted to normal wards have hypomagnesaemia. The figure jumps alarmingly to around 60% of patients who are in intensive care units. Premature babies stand out as one of the highest risk groups due to lengthy ICU stays.
These high numbers are thought to be caused by the common practice of giving intravenous fluids, without magnesium supplementation, to patients in hospitals. The kidneys have difficulty processing fluid and show some degree of kidney failure. Hypomagnesemia is particularly problematic among premature infants, as they may already have some renal insufficiency.
Alcoholics make up the second largest population suffering from hypomagnesaemia. Again, the kidneys and liver are compromised. Alcohol is a toxin and the kidneys work to reduce the toxins. When alcohol is introduced into the system in large quantities daily, the kidneys are less successful at eliminating toxins, gradually causing magnesium to be poorly absorbed.
About 80% of patients who have just suffered a heart attack will develop hypomagnesaemia. Even those with chronic diarrhea can suffer from this condition. Diabetics also have a high risk of developing hypomagnesaemia.
Also, heart medications such as digoxin can interfere with magnesium absorption. Diuretics such as Lasix® can also reduce blood magnesium levels. Some antibiotics can cause hypomagnesemia. Others who present with hypomagnesemia simply don’t get enough magnesium in their diets, causing low blood levels. This category includes populations without access to quality food, or anorexics and bulimics.
Symptoms of hypomagnesaemia include severe tachycardia, changes in behavior such as confusion or agitation, and in some cases, pancreatitis. Treatment depends on the underlying conditions.
When patients are too sick to eat, magnesium-fortified liquids can be added to their diet. Mild cases allow for oral supplementation. Of course, behaviors that cause this condition, such as alcoholism or anorexia, should be treated whenever possible. If a patient is taking medications to treat heart failure or diabetes, magnesium supplementation is helpful in preventing the development of hypomagnesaemia. When common causes such as poor diet and alcoholism are ruled out, further tests to evaluate kidney function may be needed.
In most cases, hypomagnesemia can be reversed once diagnosed. Unfortunately, not all hospitals and doctors consider controlling low blood magnesium levels. They can evaluate the symptoms but not the causes. In these cases, those affected may need to play doctor and ask for the test.
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