Hypercalcemia (patient information): Difference between revisions

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==What causes (condition)?==
==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?==
==Who is at highest risk?==

Revision as of 15:56, 24 August 2012

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Template:WikiDoc Sources For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here

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:

Kidney symptoms:

Muscle symptoms:

Psychological symptoms:

Skeletal symptoms:

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

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

Possible complications

Prevention

Sources

Template:WH Template:WS