Calcium Deficiency
The mineral calcium is well-known for its key role in bone health. Calcium also helps maintain heart rhythm, muscle function, and more. When you don’t get enough calcium, your risk of developing diseases like osteoporosis, osteopenia, and calcium deficiency disease (hypocalcemia) increases.
Calcium deficiency is a disease that affects the functioning of your body when your calcium storage depletes. Here’s what you need to know about it.
Symptoms
Though there are no early signs of calcium deficiency, people are known to experience the following symptoms:
- Wheezing
- Fainting
- Muscle aches
- Numbness in feet, face
- Brittle nails
- Depression
- Tooth decay
- Dry skin
- Memory loss
- Cataracts
- Kidney stones
- Allergies
- Chest pains
- Fatigue
- Numbness in hands
- Miscarriages
- Infertility
- Seizures
- Heart Failure
- Osteoporosis
- Cancer
Cause
Calcium deficiency occurs when your body is not receiving enough minerals such as calcium and goes through a process called demineralization. Without this vital alkaline mineral, your body relies on the existing calcium in your bones, teeth, and organs, which leads to calcium deficiency.
As you age, your bone density decreases naturally; and since most of your calcium is stored in your bones, your daily requirement for calcium increases. Other factors in losing calcium levels in your blood system include high sodium and phosphorus intake and deficiencies in vitamin D and magnesium.
Health conditions can also play a part in low calcium absorption or loss. This can include chronic kidney disease, thyroid issues, gastric bypass surgery, and even certain prescription drugs such as anti-seizure medications, proton pump inhibitors, and chemotherapy drugs.
Treatment
Calcium deficiency is usually easy to treat. It generally involves adding more calcium to your diet.
Do not self-treat by taking a lot of calcium supplements. Taking more than the recommended dose without your doctor’s approval can lead to serious issues.
Prevention
Ensuring you get enough calcium from your diet is crucial to preventing calcium deficiency.
Foods rich in calcium are:
- Milk
- Cheese
- Yogurt
- Beans
- Figs
- Broccoli
- Spinach
- Tofu
- Soy milk
- Nuts and seeds
In addition to increasing your calcium intake, it is a must to take charge of your lifestyle by exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy body weight, and avoiding alcohol and smoking.
To ensure your diet is well-rounded and that you’re consuming enough calcium, consult our Nutrition Department.
www.kokilabenhospital.com/departments/clinicaldepartments/nutrition/generalservices.html
Ensuring you have sufficient amounts of calcium in your daily diet is vital to living a long, healthy life.
For comprehensive treatment of osteoporosis, contact our first-class Osteoporosis Clinic to avail the services of our highly trained professionals:
www.kokilabenhospital.com/departments/clinicsatkh/osteoporosisclinic.html
