Calcium is the most abundant macronutrient in the human body. Calcium is an important component for healthy teeth and strong bones. Calcium also helps in muscles function, nerve impulse transmission, controlling blood pressure. Thus, calcium is a vital mineral that must be consumed and absorbed daily. Dairy products, leafy vegetables, and a variety of other calcium-rich foods are just a few examples.
A high dietary calcium intake for newborns, children, and teenagers is critical because calcium is required for bone production and growth. For bone growth, developing fetuses in a female womb need a substantial calcium intake from the mother. Women who have achieved menopause should also ensure that they get enough calcium to lower their risk of osteoporosis.
Calcium shortage is a condition in which the amount of calcium in the body is severely reduced, resulting in various difficulties. Types of calcium difficulties that arise in the body are as follows:
Dietary calcium shortage is caused by a lack of calcium-rich foods in the diet, resulting in calcium depletion in the bones and teeth and bone thinning, and osteoporosis.
Hypocalcemia is a condition characterized by a low level of calcium in the blood, which can be caused by various drugs, treatments, and diseases.
Symptoms of calcium deficiency
Deficiency of calcium leads to:
Calcium serves a variety of roles in the body; therefore, a deficiency causes various symptoms in the body, primarily affecting the bones and teeth. If a lack of dietary fibers causes calcium shortage, symptoms include:
Due to spinal bone fractures, back or neck discomfort might be severe.
Tenderness or discomfort in the bones.
A fracture that happens without or with little trauma.
Loss of stature.
Kyphosis causes a stooping posture.
If, on the other hand, calcium insufficiency is linked to hypocalcemia, the following are the most common symptoms:
Muscle spasms.
Numbness.
Paresthesia.
Petechiae.
Appetite problems.
Purpura.
Calcium deficiency can cause symptoms that signal a serious or life-threatening problem. This life-threatening illness must be addressed as soon as possible. Such symptoms are as follows:
Decreasing of thinking capacity.
Chronic chest pain.
Fast and weak pulse.
Respiratory or breathing problems.
Seizure.
Tetany.
Unusual or profound weakness.
Diagnosis and treatment
There are no indications of calcium insufficiency. As a result, figuring out what is wrong is not difficult. Calcium deficiency can be detected in a variety of methods, including:
Blood test: To check the blood calcium level.
Person’s medical history.
Bones that are easily fractured.
The loss of a tooth causes a decrease in bodily strength.
Skin allergy.
Chronic joint and muscle pain.
Treatment for calcium insufficiency is simple. Calcium deficiency only necessitated an increase in calcium nutrient uptake. There are several different techniques to improve calcium intake, such as follows:
Changing or adjusting drugs based on the needs of patients.
Intake of Calcium-rich foods.
Getting into a regular and routine exercise.
Medical professionals recommend calcium supplements.
Intravenous calcium in severe cases.
