Hypercalcaemia
Hypercalcaemia Causes
Excessive calcium levels in the blood may be caused by high skeletal calcium release, over-absorption of intestinal calcium, or a marked decrease in the excretion of renal calcium. A majority of recorded hypercalcaemia cases are associated with hyperparathyroidism and malignancy. Abnormal parathyroid gland function resulting from either primary hyperparathyroidism, lithium use, or familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia/familial benign hypercalcaemia, is also a leading cause. Often, a malignant tumor with metastasis (such as breast cancer, for instance) can also lead to hypercalcaemia.
Hypercalcaemia Definition
Hypercalcaemia (sometimes spelled Hypercalcemia) is a disorder characterized by elevated levels of calcium in the blood. Hypercalcaemia may be asymptomatic. It can, however, indicate the presence of other diseases; therefore, a diagnosis is needed if it persists.
Hypercalcaemia Symptoms and Signs
Fatigue, depression, anorexia, confusion, vomiting and nausea, constipation, pancreatitis, or increased urination may result from hypercalcaemia. In pop culture, the saying ?Bones, stones, groans, and psychic moans? has helped popularize this disorder's symptoms. Chronic hypercalcaemia may cause urinary calculi, more commonly known as renal stones or bladder stones. In extreme cases, abnormal heart rhythms can occur. EKG findings of a short QT interval and a widened T wave are indicative of hypercalcaemia. Severe hypercalcaemia, occurring at excessively high calcium serum levels, may result in coma and cardiac arrest. At this point, the disorder is considered a medical emergency.
Hypercalcaemia Treatment
General intervention focuses on treating hypercalcaemia first, and then the underlying cause next. Initial treatment may consist of fluids and diuretics to improve hydration, as most patients are dehydrated from too much vomiting or because of renal defects. A boost in salt intake can also improve the volume of body fluids, thus increasing urine sodium excretion which, in turn, improves urinary calcium excretion. Subsequently, additional treatments in the form of bisphosphonates and calcitonin are needed. Bisphosphonates, or pyrophosphate analogues with high affinity for bone, are particularly therapeutic for areas with high bone loss. Calcitonin, meanwhile, is to block bone resorption as well as augment urinary calcum excretion. Calcitonin is frequently necessary for life-threatening levels of hypercalcaemia and helps prevent its recurrence.