Hypercalcemia – What it is, Symptoms and Treatments
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Causes of Hypercalcemia: The level of calcium in the blood is controlled by many factors, including parathyroid hormone.
Its Causes Are:
- Lack of physical activity can cause bone to break, releasing calcium into the blood
- Cancers that directly affect the bone or metastasize to the bones cause the bone to break down, causing the release of excess calcium into the blood .
- Some cancers affect the kidneys ‘ ability to remove excess calcium from the blood .
- Dehydration caused by nausea and vomiting makes it difficult for the kidneys to properly remove calcium from the blood .
Types of cancer that can cause hypercalcemia include breast, lung, multiple myeloma, lymphoma, leukemia, kidney, head and neck, and gastrointestinal cancers.
Symptoms of Hypercalcemia: You may not have symptoms if you havemild Hypercalcemia . If your Hypercalcemia is more severe, you may have symptoms that affect various parts of your body. The most common are:
Kidneys: Symptoms related to your kidneys can lead to:
- excessive thirst
- excessive urination
- Pain between the back and upper abdomen on one side
Abdomen: Symptoms related to the abdomen include:
- nausea
- abdominal pain
- decreased appetite
- Constipation
- vomit
Muscles: Calcium levels can affect your muscles, causing contractions and weakness.
Skeletal System: High levels of calcium can also cause bone problems, including:
- bone pain
- height loss
- hunched shoulders
- curvature of the spine
- disease fractures
Psychological Symptoms: Hypercalcemia can also cause psychological symptoms such as depression, memory loss and irritability. If you have cancer and experience any symptoms of hypercalcemia , speak to your doctor right away. Hypercalcemia is a medical emergency in people with cancer.
Hypercalcemia Treatments: Hypercalcemia treatments aredone according to its severity.
Mild cases: If you have mild hypercalcemia , your doctor may suggest simply keeping track of your condition and waiting to see if it improves or worsens on its own.
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Severe Cases: You may need hospital treatment if you have a case of severe hypercalcemia . The goal of treatment is to return your calcium level to normal. Treatment is also aimed at preventing damage to bones and kidneys . Treatment options include the following:
- Calcitonin is a hormone produced in the thyroid gland. This slows down bone loss.
- Intravenous fluids keep you hydrated.
- Corticosteroids are anti-inflammatory drugs. They help your body handle too much vitamin D.
- Loop diuretic medications can help the kidneys function and get rid of extra calcium .
- Intravenous bisphosphonates can keep your bones from breaking.
- Dialysis can be given to rid your blood of extra calcium and waste products when you have damaged kidneys . This is only done if other treatment methods are not working.