13 Signs and Symptoms of Calcium Deficiency
In today's health-conscious world, calcium is a significant nutrient and an abundant mineral in human bodies. Humans need it for maintaining strong bones and teeth. It also has a vital part in muscle movement and cardiovascular functions. Thus, it is advisable to consume the right amount of calcium. When individuals fail to do so, they suffer from calcium deficiency diseases.
Do you wonder about the diseases you might get from low calcium consumption? Stick till the end of this article to find out all about this!
What is Calcium Deficiency?
Hypocalcemia refers to calcium deficiency, in which the body does not have enough calcium to carry out crucial functions. This condition has been known to cause bones to become fragile and, therefore, easily susceptible to fracture and osteoporosis.
At the same time, oral health may suffer; thus, patients may have such issues as weak teeth that can be easily broken or gum diseases. They encounter muscle cramps, spasms and pins and needles in lower limbs and palms as a part of a broad ailment with severe conditions that culminate into irregular heartbeats or even fits.
How Common is Calcium Deficiency?
Older people and those with dietary restrictions or conditions that affect nutrient absorption are especially prone to having low calcium levels in their bodies. Thus, they need to be able to gauge the amount of calcium they consume to not fall victim to diseases such as osteoporosis or bone fractures.
Milk products, green leafy vegetables, and other foods will be considered good sources of essential daily calcium intake, leading to good health through skeletal system strength or other body parts.
What are the Signs & Symptoms of Calcium Deficiency?
As established already, calcium is a vital nutrient for a healthy body. Thus, its deficiency can have far-reaching impacts. These mainly start appearing on bones, muscles, teeth, and mental health. In the case of low dietary calcium intake, no early symptoms are visible. However, individuals can suffer from calcium deficiency diseases such as low bone density or osteopenia with time. Moreover, calcium deficiency can also result from health problems or treatments, including kidney failure, stomach removal, etc. Some of the common symptoms are discussed in the following.
Reasons that Cause Calcium Deficiency
Various reasons can cause calcium deficiency in individuals. The primary causes include poor calcium intake for a long time and medications responsible for decreasing calcium intake. Apart from that, some of the other causes of calcium deficiency include the following, which might result in causing calcium deficiency diseases in individuals.
- Various kinds of drugs, particularly chemotherapy drugs, reduce calcium intake
- Those diagnosed with pancreatitis, infections, and cancer and kidney diseases
- Low Calcium D levels result in an inability to absorb nutrients
- Intestinal disorders such as diarrhoea or constipation can prevent human bodies from absorbing calcium
- Individuals facing renal failure and liver problems
- Hypoparathyroidism diagnosis coming from autoimmune disease or genetic conditions
What are the Diagnosis of Calcium Deficiency?
Calcium deficiency must be diagnosed using a comprehensive strategy that includes clinical examinations and specialist testing to check the body's calcium levels. Healthcare practitioners use a variety of ways to diagnose and explore this illness, including:
Physical Examination
A thorough physical examination looks for symptoms like muscle cramps, numbness, decrease in bone density (osteopenia), and dental issues like weak enamel or gum disease.
Dietary Assessment
The patient's diet is evaluated to know how much calcium they get through food and to find possible deficiencies or gaps in their nutrition, emphasising calcium-rich foods.
Blood Tests
Measurement of blood calcium levels to diagnose deficiencies or abnormalities in its metabolism that can signify the severity of the deficiency.
Bone Density Scan (DEXA)
A bone mineral density scan looks at bone health issues like osteoporosis or osteopenia caused by a long-term lack of enough calcium.
Medical History Review
Reviewing the patient's medical report is important because one might have some underlying condition or medications that may interfere with their body's ability to absorb/metabolize calcium.
Best Food Sources to Overcome Calcium Deficiency
Check out a selection of foods rich in calcium, highlighted below, essential for addressing and preventing calcium deficiency to support your health and vitality.
Fruits to Overcome Calcium Deficiency
Fruits are excellent sources of calcium. Here are a few of them that can aid in restoring a shortage of it
Vegetables to Overcome Calcium Deficiency
Vegetables are another excellent source of calcium. From leafy greens to root veggies, here are some that is well known to aid in the restoration of calcium to the body:
Other Eatables to Overcome Calcium Deficiency
Apart from fruits and vegetables, other foods such as animal and dairy products are well known to be a great source of calcium. Make sure to include some of these to create a balanced diet to maintain adequate levels
How Much Calcium Do You Need Daily?
The process of treating calcium deficiency can be a long and complicated one. The easiest way of treatment can be including calcium-rich food in your diet. Some popular foods with high calcium content include soybeans and kale, which comes with 175 mg and 179 mg calcium, respectively (one cup). Fishes such as sardines and salmon have 325 mg and 180 mg of calcium every 3 ounces, respectively. Individuals can also include low-fat milk, yoghourt, cottage cheese and oatmeal in the list.
One needs to know the standard calcium consumption based on age group, as discussed in the following table.
The ideal way of avoiding calcium deficiency is by consuming the right amount of calcium. individuals should consider the table discussed above and include the right quantity of calcium in their diets.
Side Effects of Calcium Deficiency
Calcium deficiency can lead to a range of health problems due to its vital role in various bodily functions. Common side effects and symptoms associated with calcium deficiency include:
- Muscle Problems: Muscle cramps, spasms, and general muscle weakness are prevalent due to impaired muscle function without sufficient calcium.
- Dental Issues: Weak teeth prone to decay, brittle enamel, and gum disease are common, especially affecting dental health over time.
- Nail and Hair Problems: Brittle nails and dry, coarse hair are indicators of calcium deficiency, affecting overall appearance and health.
- Bone Health: Reduced bone density and osteoporosis can result from prolonged calcium deficiency, leading to an increased risk of fractures and bone pain.
- Neurological Symptoms: Numbness and tingling sensations in the extremities, along with confusion and memory problems, may occur due to nerve dysfunction.
- Cardiovascular Issues: Irregular heartbeat (arrhythmias) and potentially severe complications like heart failure can develop in severe cases.
- Mental Health: Anxiety, depression, and mood swings can be linked to calcium deficiency, affecting overall mental well-being.
Therefore, to keep these side effects from happening and maintain good health, it is important to focus on diet changes, supplements and medical help that deal with calcium deficiency. Consequently, prompt treatment and regular monitoring help reduce the risks of calcium deficiencies.
Diseases Caused Due to Calcium Deficiency
Now, you may wonder, "which disease is caused by calcium deficiency?” Calcium deficiency diseases are common, considering the difficulty in maintaining the standard calcium intake. Therefore, it is essential to diagnose the disease at the right time and treat it.
1. Hypocalcaemia
It is a common disease caused by the deficiency of calcium. The risks intensify in poor calcium intake since childhood, medications reducing calcium absorption, dietary intolerance to calcium-rich food, hormonal changes etc.
2. Neonatal hypocalcaemia
It is a disease caused by a lack of calcium in infants soon after birth. It can come with risk factors such as being small for age and maternal diabetes. Poor feeding, seizure and apnea (slow breathing) can be common symptoms of neonatal hypocalcaemia.
Treatments for Calcium Deficiency
In case a disease caused due to calcium deficiency is severe, individuals will require other treatment procedures. Doctors use physical examinations of hair, skin and muscles to identify hypocalcaemia and other calcium deficiency diseases. Doctors can inject calcium intravenously if the condition is serious. Other treatments include the following.
Doctors might prescribe natural healing methods to people dealing with calcium deficiency diseases. These include spending time in the sun to increase vitamin D levels and a diet with calcium-rich food items.
How Long Does it Take to Fix Calcium Deficiency?
Patients with calcium deficiency can observe significant improvement in their health condition after starting treatment to replenish the nutrients. However, the time it takes to resolve symptoms may vary.
Note that this timeline may vary across individuals, depending on the extent of deficiency and other health conditions.
However, permanent damage such as severe tooth deformation or tooth loss is irreversible. This underscores the importance of prioritising your health and ensuring adequate calcium intake to prevent deficiency before it becomes severe.
Who is at Risk of Suffering from Calcium Deficiency?
Usually, calcium deficiency can happen to anyone at any age. However, based on most cases, women are more prone to a calcium disease. It is mainly seen among amenorrheic and postmenopausal women and the female athlete triad. Moreover, individuals with milk allergy and lactose intolerance can also face this issue. It is also common among the elderly and adolescents of at-risk groups for dietary deficiency intake. People with vitamin D or magnesium deficiency are also at significant risk.
Thus, calcium deficiency diseases can be dangerous with far-reaching impacts on human bodies. Apart from causing severe harm to bones and teeth, calcium deficiency can end up causing adverse effects on overall health conditions. Therefore, it is advisable to include calcium-rich food in everyday diet to avoid such diseases in the future.
FAQs about Calcium Deficiency
How do you know if you need calcium?
Calcium deficiency starts showing in the form of increased muscle cramps and difficulty in muscle movement. Moreover, brittle fingernails, bone injuries, irregular heartbeats and numbness in arms and feet also mean lack of calcium.
What is the best form of calcium to take?
Apart from developing a calcium-rich food diet, calcium carbonate supplements can effectively increase your calcium intake. They contain the highest quantity of elemental calcium.
How does calcium deficiency affect bone health?
Calcium deficiency weakens bones, leading to conditions like osteopenia and osteoporosis, which increase the risk of fractures.
Can calcium deficiency lead to muscle problems?
Yes, inadequate calcium levels can cause muscle spasms, cramps, and general weakness, affecting overall muscle function.
What dietary changes can help increase calcium intake?
Consuming calcium-rich foods such as dairy products (milk, cheese, yoghurt), leafy greens (spinach, kale), nuts (almonds), and fortified foods like cereals and juices can help.
Are there medications to treat calcium deficiency?
Doctors may prescribe calcium supplements, often combined with vitamin D or magnesium, to ensure proper absorption and bone health.
What role does exercise play in treating calcium deficiency?
Regular weight-bearing exercises like walking, running, and resistance training can help strengthen bones and prevent further calcium loss.
How long does it take to correct calcium deficiency through diet and supplements?
Improvement in symptoms may be observed within weeks to months, depending on the severity of the deficiency and adherence to treatment.
Are there natural remedies for calcium deficiency?
Spending time in sunlight for vitamin D synthesis and consuming calcium-rich foods are natural approaches to support bone health.
What are the long-term consequences of untreated calcium deficiency?
Untreated calcium deficiency can lead to irreversible bone damage, increased risk of fractures, and potentially severe conditions like osteoporosis.
Who is most at risk for calcium deficiency?
Individuals with poor dietary habits, lactose intolerance, postmenopausal women, and those with malabsorption disorders like celiac disease are at higher risk.