Hypercalcemia (patient information): Difference between revisions
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==What causes Hypercalcemia?== | ==What causes Hypercalcemia?== | ||
Calcium is important to many body functions, including: | Calcium is important to many body functions, including: | ||
* Bone formation | |||
Bone formation | * Hormone release | ||
Hormone release | * Muscle contraction | ||
Muscle contraction | * Nerve and brain function | ||
Nerve and brain function | |||
Parathyroid hormone (PTH) and vitamin D help manage calcium balance in the body. PTH is made by the parathyroid glands -- four small glands located in the neck behind the thyroid gland. Vitamin D is obtained when the skin is exposed to sunlight, and from dietary sources such as: | Parathyroid hormone (PTH) and vitamin D help manage calcium balance in the body. PTH is made by the parathyroid glands -- four small glands located in the neck behind the thyroid gland. Vitamin D is obtained when the skin is exposed to sunlight, and from dietary sources such as: | ||
*Egg yolks | |||
Egg yolks | *Fish | ||
Fish | *Fortified cereals | ||
Fortified cereals | *Fortified dairy products | ||
Fortified dairy products | |||
Primary hyperparathyroidism is the most common cause of hypercalcemia. It is due to excess PTH release by the parathyroid glands. This excess occurs due to an enlargement of one or more of the parathyroid glands, or a growth (usually not cancer) on one of the glands. | Primary hyperparathyroidism is the most common cause of hypercalcemia. It is due to excess PTH release by the parathyroid glands. This excess occurs due to an enlargement of one or more of the parathyroid glands, or a growth (usually not cancer) on one of the glands. | ||
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Other medical conditions can also cause hypercalcemia: | Other medical conditions can also cause hypercalcemia: | ||
Adrenal gland failure | * Adrenal gland failure | ||
An inherited condition that affects the body's ability to regulate calcium (familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia) | * An inherited condition that affects the body's ability to regulate calcium (familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia) | ||
Being bedbound (or not being able to move) for a long period of time | * Being bedbound (or not being able to move) for a long period of time | ||
Calcium excess in the diet (called milk-alkali syndrome, usually due to at least 2,000 milligrams of calcium per day) | * Calcium excess in the diet (called milk-alkali syndrome, usually due to at least 2,000 milligrams of calcium per day) | ||
Hyperthyroidism | * Hyperthyroidism | ||
Kidney failure | * Kidney failure | ||
Medications such as lithium and thiazide diuretics (water pills) | * Medications such as lithium and thiazide diuretics (water pills) | ||
Some cancerous tumors (for example, lung cancers, breast cancer) | * Some cancerous tumors (for example, lung cancers, breast cancer) | ||
Vitamin D excess (hypervitaminosis D) from diet or inflammatory diseases | * Vitamin D excess (hypervitaminosis D) from diet or inflammatory diseases | ||
Hypercalcemia affects less than 1 percent of the population. The ability to measure blood calcium since the 1960s has improved detection. Today, the condition is diagnosed at an early stage so most patients with hypercalcemia have no symptoms. | Hypercalcemia affects less than 1 percent of the population. The ability to measure blood calcium since the 1960s has improved detection. Today, the condition is diagnosed at an early stage so most patients with hypercalcemia have no symptoms. | ||
Revision as of 16:30, 24 August 2012
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Hypercalcemia is a disorder in which there is too much calcium in the blood.
What are the symptoms of Hypercalcemia?
Abdominal symptoms:
- Constipation
- Nausea
- Pain
- Poor appetite
- Vomiting
Kidney symptoms:
Muscle symptoms:
Psychological symptoms:
Skeletal symptoms:
- Bone pain
- Bowing of the shoulders
- Fractures due to disease (pathological fractures)
- Loss of height
- Spinal column curvature
What causes Hypercalcemia?
Calcium is important to many body functions, including:
- Bone formation
- Hormone release
- Muscle contraction
- Nerve and brain function
Parathyroid hormone (PTH) and vitamin D help manage calcium balance in the body. PTH is made by the parathyroid glands -- four small glands located in the neck behind the thyroid gland. Vitamin D is obtained when the skin is exposed to sunlight, and from dietary sources such as:
- Egg yolks
- Fish
- Fortified cereals
- Fortified dairy products
Primary hyperparathyroidism is the most common cause of hypercalcemia. It is due to excess PTH release by the parathyroid glands. This excess occurs due to an enlargement of one or more of the parathyroid glands, or a growth (usually not cancer) on one of the glands.
Other medical conditions can also cause hypercalcemia:
- Adrenal gland failure
- An inherited condition that affects the body's ability to regulate calcium (familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia)
- Being bedbound (or not being able to move) for a long period of time
- Calcium excess in the diet (called milk-alkali syndrome, usually due to at least 2,000 milligrams of calcium per day)
- Hyperthyroidism
- Kidney failure
- Medications such as lithium and thiazide diuretics (water pills)
- Some cancerous tumors (for example, lung cancers, breast cancer)
- Vitamin D excess (hypervitaminosis D) from diet or inflammatory diseases
Hypercalcemia affects less than 1 percent of the population. The ability to measure blood calcium since the 1960s has improved detection. Today, the condition is diagnosed at an early stage so most patients with hypercalcemia have no symptoms.
Women over age 50 are most likely to have hypercalcemia, usually due to primary hyperparathyroidism.
Who is at highest risk?
When to seek urgent medical care?
Diagnosis
Treatment options
Diseases with similar symptoms
Where to find medical care for (condition)?
Directions to Hospitals Treating Condition