Calcium is one of the most important minerals for our body, for purposes not only in having solid bones and teeth but even for nerve impulse and conducting of muscles and blood clotting. Unfortunately, many undergo a calcium deficiency or hypocalcemia and can lead to many health conditions if not treated. Knowing the symptoms and signs of maintaining healthy calcium levels will save your long-term health. Here is a look at the signs and symptoms of calcium deficiency, the causes, and how to avoid it.

 

What is Calcium Deficiency?

The medical term for calcium deficiency is hypocalcemia. In that condition, the level of calcium in blood is lower than its normal range. Calcium is considered to be one of the essential minerals which require the human body to work flawlessly. Thus if taken through diet is in excess of the required amount then it starts extracting from the bones and the latter begin to weaken and give rise to several other related effects. If it left unchecked for a long period of time then it may eventually lead towards very serious diseases including osteoporosis.

 

Causes of Calcium Deficiency

There are numerous causes, which contribute to calcium deficiency:

Symptoms And Signs Of Calcium Deficiency

Having identified the causes, it will be essential to have a look at some of the symptoms and signs of calcium deficiency.

 

1. Muscle Cramps and Spasms

The most common presentations are muscle cramping or spasms. In most cases, the legs, arms, and back are the primary areas affected. The muscles would contract because they crave calcium. When these are at low levels, then the muscles begin to contract involuntarily, which can create this cramping or "twitching" feeling. These often present at night or with exertion.

 

2. Numbness and Tingling Feeling

Low levels of calcium in the body will numb and tingle the body, almost like pins implanted in your body, especially in the fingers and toes, and perhaps on the face as well. Most of it goes to muscle and nerve functions. When the calcium level in the blood goes down, then this affects the nervous system in such ways as making one feel "pins and needles."

 

3. Brittle Nails

The other sign is through your nails. Your nails will be brittle, fragile, easily breakable, or chipped off which is a sign of a deficiency. Gradually the low calcium affects your body's ability to grow and take care of its skin, nails, and hair.

 

4. Dry Skin and Hair

Besides hair, nails, and skin, there are other body parts that need calcium to look healthy. Without sufficient calcium, skin turns dry and flakes and the hair becomes brittle and breaks easily. Skin cells regenerate themselves because of calcium, and it keeps moisture in the skin. Repeated skin complaints like itchiness, dryness, or eczema may indicate calcium deficiency.

 

5. Tooth Decay

Calcium forms healthy, strong teeth. When the calcium level is low, the teeth start weakening; foul decay and cavities start becoming apparent. Adults with this deficiency might develop more problems in the mouth, such as increase decays, to which will lead all the way to gum disease.

 

6. Fatigue and Weakness

Other manifestations include fatigue and general debility. This is related to the role that calcium plays in energy metabolism: deficiency could lead to what may be termed as muscle fatigue as well as general loss of physical energy. If hence you find yourself always tired even when you are going to bed well, low calcium may be one cause.


View More: What Are the Benefits of Calcium for Your Bones


7. Memory Problems and Confusion

Calcium deficiency also affects the brain. It causes problems in memory, confusion, or lack of concentration. This is because of an interference in the release of neurotransmitters or even use of neurons in a manner that will come to disrupt cognitive processes and therefore lack of mental clarity and memory.

 

8. Recurrent Bone Fractures

Lack of calcium, most often results in weak bones. You often find yourself with too many fractures or even stress fractures from rather minor injuries; it could mean that you have brittle bones due to too little calcium. This can lead to osteopenia (loss of bone mass) and farther to osteoporosis where the bones become brittle and highly vulnerable to breaking.

 

9. Irregular Heartbeat

Calcium is required for maintaining the normal rhythms of the heart as it is involved in regulating electrical impulses, thereby ensuring that the heart beats rhythmically. An absence of calcium may manifest in problems like arrhythmia or palpitations. In extreme conditions, where there could be some lack of calcium, its absence might increase susceptibility towards heart conditions.

 

10. Mood Swinging and Anxiety

Calcium deficiency has been blamed for mood swings, and for most people it presents with heightened anxiety, irritability, or even depression. Calcium is involved in neurotransmitter activity, which constitutes the core of mood control. If you think you are oscillating moods apparently without rhyme or reason, then get your calcium checked.

 

11. Convulsion

Extreme deficiency in calcium causes convulsions, and it is not only in people who have had a previous history of epilepsy. This is because most of the functions attributed to nerve conduction as well as the facilitation of contractions in muscles depend on calcium. If the levels fall extremely low, the brain might short circuit and thus cause a seizure. It is one of the relatively rare but risky symptoms. The condition requires instant medical attention.


Risk Factors for Calcium Deficiency

Some may have more risks for the calcium deficiency than others. These include:

  • Postmenopausal women: The change in hormones at post-menopause weakens the bones and causes an increased risk of a lack of calcium in the body.
  • Older age: Generally, with old age, the absorption of calcium too is weak.
  • Lactose intolerant or vegan person: Milk is one of the richest sources of calcium. Persons who cannot consume milk would have to rely on other sources of calcium

Prevention of Calcium Deficiency

Another fact about a calcium deficiency is that it is much easier to prevent than to cure. Now, this is how to know if you have calcium deficiency:


1. Incorporate Calcium-Rich Foods

Incorporate calcium-rich foods in your diet, which include:

  • Dairies: milk, cheese, and yogurt
  • Leafy green vegetables: kale, broccoli, spinach
  • Nuts and seeds: almonds, chia seeds
  • Foods with fortification that is often categorized into cereals, plant-based milk, and orange juice

2. Sufficient Vitamin D

Vitamin D will enable your body to melt down calcium. So, get it from the sun, oily fish, fortified milk products or vitamin D supplements.


3. Calcium Supplement

If you are unable to receive enough from a dietary supplement that too, especially when you are at a higher risk for osteoporosis, ask your doctor to prescribe the right amount.


4. Caffeine and Alcohol Intake

High intake of alcohol and caffeine tends to reduce the absorption of calcium; lessen them according to your level of their consumption to ensure that there is enough calcium in your body.


5. Maintain physical activities

Engage in frequent weight-bearing exercises either in the form of walking, running, or even resistance training to accrete bones and boost the level of calcium absorption.


Conclusion

This leads to an imbalance in tissue and the lacking symptom is hardly felt or noticed unless it worsens. Of the major minerals, calcium is crucial in the use of the body in building up bones and letting a proper muscle and nerve impulse. Its knowledge hence proves quite crucial before it turns fatal. Keeping an eye on your well-balanced diet, vitamin D, and many other healthy lifestyle habits will do you good as you avoid calcium deficiency thus protecting your overall health.


Please book an appointment with the best General Physician in Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, and all major cities of Pakistan through InstaCare, or call our helpline at 03171777509 to find a verified doctor for your disease.