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Effects of High Calcium

High calcium in the blood, or hypercalcemia, is not a normal occurrence and can be very serious. There are a few different causes of high blood calcium, the most common being parathyroid disease, which must be treated immediately. There are many symptoms that occur due to high calcium in the blood. Below is a discussion of some of the more serious of these symptoms and what factors contribute to the condition.

  1. Description

    • Hypercalcemia can interfere with various processes, including muscle movement, hormone release and brain function. The main cause of hypercalcemia is an abnormality in the parathyroid glands, are endocrine glands that help to control calcium in the blood. There are four parathyroid glands that are located in the neck, behind the thyroid gland. Too much activity in one or more of these glands can cause hypercalcemia.

    Causes

    • Hyperparathyroidism is the most common cause of high calcium levels in the blood. This occurs when an abnormality in the parathyroid glands leads to the production of too many parathyroid hormones (PTH). Some forms of cancer have also been attributed to hypercalcemia, including lung cancer, multiple myeloma, breast cancer and squamous cell cancer. However, the appearance of cancer in patients with hypercalcemia is rare. Other causes are sarcoidosis, excess of calcium (Vitamin D) pills, milk alkali syndrome and Paget's disease.

    Mild Hypercalcemia

    • Symptoms of mild hypercalcemia can often go undetected if the patient is not regularly checked by a doctor. However, some symptoms, such as loss of appetite, upset stomach or nausea, constipation or stomach pain, and vomiting may occur in some cases. Also, a slight rise in blood calcium levels will also most likely occur. These symptoms should be checked by a doctor immediately, since they can be treated.

    High Hypercalcemia

    • Symptoms of high hypercalcemia in patients are oftentimes more severe and very noticeable compared to cases of mild hypercalcemia. Patients with very high calcium blood levels can experience heart rhythm abnormalities and extreme fatigue. Kidney stones can appear along with frequent urination. High hypercalcemia can also affect a person emotionally, leading to depression, severe mood swings or personality changes, and disorientation or confusion. In extreme cases, the patient may go into a coma or even die.

    Treatments

    • Drinking water is important if there are high levels of calcium in your blood. You should drink at least 2 to 3 quarts of water every day to remain hydrated and healthy. You can also take anti-diarrhea pills as directed by a doctor or pharmacist. Walking or jogging also helps to battle hypercalcemia. Prescribed treatments, such as diuretics (which lower calcium blood levels), bisphosphonates (which helps stop bone loss) and antineoplastic or antihypercalcemic agents (both of which also help decrease bone loss) can be used.

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