Contents:
- Medical Video: What is hyperparathyroidism? Causes, diagnosis, and treatment explained
- What is the calcium requirement per day?
- What is hypercalcemia?
- What are the signs and symptoms of excess calcium?
- What are the treatment options for hypercalcemia?
Medical Video: What is hyperparathyroidism? Causes, diagnosis, and treatment explained
Calcium is an important mineral for the body, especially for healthy bones and teeth. Calcium levels in the blood are also always controlled to support the work of muscles, nerves, and heart. Calcium deficiency is associated with a risk of bone loss. Then, what are the consequences if the body has excess calcium? An excess of calcium, called hypercalcemia, is rare. But if it happens, the risk can endanger the body. Here's the full information.
What is the calcium requirement per day?
The body's calcium needs vary depending on age. According to the 2013 Nutrition Adequacy Rate (AKG), children aged 10-18 years need 1200 mg of calcium per day. Then, calcium requirements decreased to 1100 mg per day at the age of 19-29. For people over 29 years and beyond, calcium needs decrease to 1000 mg per day. Even so,the maximum daily calcium requirement tolerance limit for adults and children over 1 year of age is generally 2,500 mg per day.
Calcium needs will increase in women who are pregnant. This is because in addition to the mother, calcium intake during pregnancy is also needed by the fetus. Increased calcium intake during pregnancy is 200 mg per day. So, if you are pregnant at the age of 25, your calcium needs per day will be 1300 mg. Meanwhile, if you are pregnant at the age of 18, your calcium needs will be greater, which is equal to 1400 mg per day.
However, you are not recommended to consume more than 500 mg at a time. This can increase the risk of hypercalcemia.
What is hypercalcemia?
Hypercalcemia is a condition in which the body absorbs calcium in excess of its normal capacity. This excess calcium can generally be removed through urine or feces. However, it does not rule out the possibility that the remaining excess will be stored in the bone, so that it can cause adverse side effects. Very high calcium levels can be life threatening.
The main cause of hypercalcaemia is hyperparathyroidism. Calcium levels in the blood are regulated by the parathyroid gland. When the parathyroid gland becomes overactive and releases too much parathyroid hormone, the blood calcium level will increase. Other common causes are lung disease and cancer, side effects of drugs, and excessive consumption of supplements.
Hypercalcaemia can interfere with kidney function and cause the formation of kidney stones, and interfere with the work of the heart and brain. Decreased kidney function because excess calcium can also cause the body's ability to absorb iron, zinc, magnesium, and phosphate to be disrupted. In fact, these minerals are very important in supporting the body's normal function. Reporting from the Mayo Clinic, hypercalcaemia can also cause digestive disorders, nausea, vomiting, and constipation.
Some studies also show that excess calcium intake can increase the risk of prostate cancer and heart disease. However, further research is needed to understand the possibility of this relationship.
What are the signs and symptoms of excess calcium?
Symptoms of hypercalcaemia range from mild to severe. You may not show symptoms that are real if you have mild hypercalcaemia. The more severe the case, the more obvious the symptoms felt.
Here's a list of symptoms that might arise if the body has excess calcium:
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Excessive thirst
- Excessive urination
- Nauseous vomit
- Stomach ache
- Appetite decreases
- Constipation
- Dehydration
- Bone pain
- Muscle ache
- Mental confusion (absent-minded); easy to forget; easily offended
- Weight loss
- Pain between the back and upper abdomen on one side due to kidney stones
- Abnormal heartbeat
- Osteoporosis
- Muscle problems: twitching, cramping, and weakness
- Fracture
Cases of severe hypercalcaemia can cause coma.
What are the treatment options for hypercalcemia?
You may not need emergency medical care if you have a case of mild hypercalcaemia, depending on the cause. However, you need to monitor the development of symptoms. In addition, it is also important to consult with a doctor to find the underlying cause.
The risk of health problems arising from excess calcium in the blood not only comes from many numbers, but also the speed of calcium levels to increase in a fast time. Therefore, it is important to keep following doctor's advice for follow-up efforts. A slightly elevated calcium level can cause kidney stones and kidney damage over time.
If the case is moderate and already severe, you may need hospital treatment to return your calcium levels to normal. Treatment also aims to prevent damage to your bones and kidneys.
