Hypercalcemia is a condition that almost only occurs in women over 50 years old. After the menopause, women have a greater chance to get hypercalcemia than men, or any other age-category. Read about a typical hypercalcemia symptom at this site!
Hypercalcemia is a blood disease caused by elevated levels of calcium. Calcium is a mineral necessary for proper growth and bone formation. It also helps the body perform nerve and brain functions. While the body needs calcium an overabundance of calcium can actually cause harm.
The usually cause of hypercalcemia is malfunction of the parathyroid glands. These glands regulate calcium in the body. When the parathyroid gland doesn't function properly it can cause too much calcium to stay in the body, producing hypercalcemia. This is most common in post-menopausal women and rarely occurs in children. Hypercalcemia may be brought on by other factors including some medications, the overuse of calcium supplements and even cancer.
There are few if any symptoms of hypercalcemia in the early stages. Severe hypercalcemia may produce many varied symptoms, which can often be confused with other diseases. Symptoms of severe hypercalcemia include extreme thirst, nausea and vomiting, constipation, the need to urinate frequently, muscle and joint pain and weakness, excessive fatigue, abdominal pain and confusion.
Hypercalcemia can be detected through elevated levels of calcium in a blood test. A blood test can also reveal if the parathyroid gland is functioning properly. A malfunctioning parathyroid gland is most often the cause of hypercalcemia. This condition is called hyperparathyroidism. However, in those instances where the parathyroid gland is not to blame, further testing must be done to determine the cause of hypercalcemia.
Mild hypercalcemia should be monitored closely to ensure that the bones and the kidneys stay healthy. Drink plenty of fluids to help flush the excess calcium from the body. Treatment for hypercalcemia can include medication to lower blood calcium levels or surgery to remove the parathyroid. Severe hypercalcemia may first require hospitalization to help stabilize the calcium levels before more damage is done to the body.
Hypercalcemia is a disorder where there is too much calcium in the blood. The body normally needs a certain amount of calcium for bone formation. It also uses calcium to help muscles perform properly and to maintain nerve and brain function. Too much calcium in the blood can cause a condition known as hypercalcemia. Read more about Hypercalcemia symptom at the Hypercalcemia Symptom page.
