Calcium plays an important role in several bodily functions, making symptoms of hypercalcaemia, or too much calcium in the body, difficult to detect. Symptoms are often misdiagnosed as features of other conditions.
Causes
Hyperthyroidism causes 90 percent of hypercalcaemia cases, with the rest attributable to excessive calcium intake and endocrine disorders like Addison's disease, according to virtualcancercentre.com. Nearly 20 percent of cancer patients and 40 percent of myeloma patients are at risk for hypercalcaemia.
Effects
Noticeable symptoms of hypercalcaemia include dehydration, frequent urination, constipation, confusion, fatigue, and vomiting. Nausea and vomiting can make dehydration worse.
Considerations
Certain symptoms can only be detected by a physician. Among these are high blood pressure, heart arrhythmias, and kidney stones.
Warnings
Untreated hypercalcaemia has serious consequences, including seizures, renal failure, coma, and death. Spasms and seizures can last for days after calcium levels return to normal, especially in the elderly.
Misconceptions
Although calcium is known for strengthening teeth and bones, too much calcium can lead to bone pain. Excess calcium attacks the nervous system, triggering pain throughout the musculoskeletal system.
References
Writer Bio
Over the course of a 15-year career, John Briggs has written for print and online clients. As a syndicated TV critic, his work appeared in some of the country's top dailies. He has a degree in political science from Temple University and took additional writing classes at NYU.