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Calcium deficiency signs, cause and therapy
contents
- Tasks of calcium in the body
- calcium balance
- Causes of calcium deficiency
- Symptoms of calcium deficiency
- Treatment for calcium deficiency
- Prevention through a healthy diet
Tasks of calcium in the body
Calcium, whose chemical element symbol is Ca, is one of the electrolytes needed by the human body for many vital tasks. Only when a sufficient amount of electrolytes is present, the processes in the body work without complications. In terms of quantity, calcium, at around one kilogram, is the electrolyte most commonly stored in the body.
Milk is one of the best-known calcium suppliers. (Image: BillionPhotos.com/fotolia.com) 99 percent of calcium is in bones and teeth and only one percent in blood and other tissues. Calcium is important for the blood clotting, the excitability of muscles and nerves, for the stability of bones and teeth and is responsible for the activation of different enzymes and hormones.
The intestine, kidneys and bones are responsible for the regulation of the calcium balance: the intestine is responsible for the absorption and excretion of calcium, the bones function as temporary storage and in the kidneys the excess calcium is excreted, the synthesis of vitamin D is regulated and the calcium intake in the body is increased Bowel controlled.
calcium balance
The calcium balance is regulated by the hormones parathyroid hormone, calcitonin and vitamin D..
1. Parathyroid hormone
The parathyroid hormone is formed in the parathyroid glands. Its main task is to increase the concentration of calcium in the blood plasma by, on the one hand, breaking down bones in which most of the mineral is stored and, on the other hand, affecting the kidneys, less of them excreting them with urine.
2. calcitonin
The calcitonin produced in the thyroid C-cells is primarily responsible for the reduction of calcium in the blood plasma. Unlike parathyroid hormone, calcitonin builds calcium from the blood into the bones and affects the kidneys and intestines to excrete less of the vital mineral with urine and stool.
3. Vitamin D.
Vitamin D is a hormone produced by the body with the help of sunlight, which helps the organism to absorb calcium well from the diet. Vitamin D can also be taken up via the diet in unfinished form. It is then completed with liver and kidney. Vitamin D affects the intestine to absorb more calcium from the diet, thus increasing the concentration of the mineral in the blood plasma. In addition, it counteracts the bone loss, in which it increasingly incorporates calcium into the bones.
Causes of calcium deficiency
In addition to a genetic predisposition (hereditary predisposition), various factors can lead to calcium deficiency, which is due to a reduced absorption capacity of dietary calcium, too low calcium intake due to unhealthy or malnutrition, increased calcium loss or increased calcium needs.
During pregnancy, the calcium requirement is significantly increased. (Image: RioPatuca Images / fotolia.com) During pregnancy and breastfeeding women have an increased calcium requirement of 1200 to 1500 mg per day. The need for adolescents and older people is similarly high. Nevertheless, if they do not get enough calcium, it can lead to deficiency symptoms.
Deficiency or malnutrition can also trigger an undersupply of calcium. Increased alcohol and coffee consumption promotes increased excretion of the mineral through the kidneys. Bulimia (choking), anorexia (morbid refusal of food intake), pancreatitis, kidney disease with decreased renal function and intestinal disease may also lead to a deficiency.
Other possible causes include hypofunction of the parathyroid gland and concomitant lack of parathyroid hormone, decreased parathyroid hormone action, magnesium deficiency, hyperventilation, gluten intolerance and vitamin D deficiency.
Symptoms of calcium deficiency
Calcium deficiency results in over-excitability of the muscles and nerves. There are muscle spasms and feeling disorders. The so-called hypocalcemic tetany is considered the leading symptom. This is understood to mean a malfunction of the motor system and the sensibility triggered by the undersupply up to the painful muscle spasm, in which the patient remains conscious. The tetanic attack is life threatening.
Patients usually complain of feeling disorders such as tingling in the hands and arms. As you progress, the muscles cramp. The hands take the so-called "paw position" and the feet can form a "Spitzfuß" by the cramping. Spasms of the muscles in the mouth often lead to the formation of a "carp" or "fish mouth". In addition, muscle cramps in the intestine and bladder area, which can lead to diarrhea, abdominal pain and increased urination. If the laryngeal muscles are also cramped, life-threatening respiratory distress can occur.
If a lack of parathyroid hormone is the cause, it can come in addition to the calcification of various organs. Eyes and brain are often affected, resulting in opacity of the eye lens and deterioration of vision, as well as headaches, movement and speech disorders, and dementia. If the parathyroid hormone deficiency occurs in childhood, dental development disorders and short stature are possible. A prolonged deficiency of the mineral can lead to the development of osteoporosis.
To prevent a deficiency, calcium-rich foods, e.g. green vegetables, nuts and dairy products, are consumed. (Image: photka / fotolia.com) Treatment for calcium deficiency
If there is a suspicion of a deficiency, you should always consult a doctor who first looks for the cause. The intake of calcium and vitamin D increases the concentration of mineral in the blood. However, blood counts must be monitored regularly to rule out hypercalcaemia (excess calcium) as a consequence.
During a life-threatening tetanic seizure, seek immediate medical attention. Patients are usually treated promptly with an infusion of calcium and other medicines in an intensive care unit. To distinguish from the tetanic seizure is the harmless hyperventilation tetany, in which an involuntarily deepened breathing exhales too much carbon dioxide, which disturbs the acid-base ratio. The body tries to correct by introducing more calcium into the cells in exchange for hydrogen ions. This leads to an apparent calcium deficiency, which is remedied by balancing the carbon dioxide deficiency by inhaling and exhaling into a bag.
Prevention through a healthy diet
A healthy and balanced diet can often prevent calcium deficiency. Coffee, alcohol, nicotine, fat, sugar and too much salt, however, lead to an increased excretion of the mineral.
A healthy diet includes many plant foods such as fruits and vegetables and whole grains. Fish, meat - not more than two to three times a week - and preferably poultry. Mineral waters and dairy products are also important to meet the need for calcium and vitamin D, as well as phosphorus, vitamin B12, folic acid and protein components. Cow's milk, yogurt and cheeses such as Emmentaler, Parmesan, Tilsiter or Gouda are very good calcium sources.
In addition to milk and dairy products, dark green vegetables, such as kale, broccoli, leaf spinach and rocket, are an important source of calcium. Hazel and Brazil nuts as well as poppy and sesame seeds also contain much of the mineral. Especially children and pregnant women as well as nursing mothers should drink a glass of milk daily to prevent a deficiency. (ag, nr, updated on 25.05.2018)
Specialist supervision: Barbara Schindewolf-Lensch (doctor)