Calcium Deficiency: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

By Evafizz

 

Calcium Deficiency

Calcium is an important mineral. Your body utilizes it to build strong bones and teeth. Calcium is also required for your heart and other muscles to work properly. When you don’t get an ample amount of calcium, you increase risk of developing illnesses such as:

  • Osteoporosis
  • Osteopenia
  • Calcium deficiency disease (hypocalcemia)

Children who don’t get sufficient calcium may not develop to their full potential height as adults.

You should get the suggested amount of calcium per day through the food you eat, supplements, minerals, or vitamins.


Symptoms of Calcium deficiency

Early-stage calcium deficiency may not showcase any symptoms. Nevertheless, symptoms will advance as the condition progresses.

Severe symptoms of Calcium deficiency:

  • Confusion or Memory Loss
  • Muscle Spasms
  • Muscle Cramps
  • Weak And Brittle Nails
  • Easy Fracturing of the Bones
  • Numbness and tingling sensation 
  • Depression
  • Hallucinations

Calcium deficiencies can impact all parts of the body, leading to weak nails, slow hair growth, and fragile skin.

Calcium also plays a crucial role in both muscle contractions and neurotransmitter release. Thus, calcium deficiencies can even cause seizures in otherwise healthy people.

If you start going through neurological symptoms like memory loss, numbness, tingling, hallucinations, or seizures, you may be suffering from Calcium deficiency.


Causes of Calcium Deficiency

There are a range of factors that result in calcium deficiency. Here are some factors:

  • The risk increases with age
  • Unbalanced diet 
  • Medications that cause low calcium levels
  • Hormonal imbalance in women
  • Intolerance towards calcium-rich foods 
  • Numerous genetic factors

Diagnosis for Hypocalcemia

If you are displaying symptoms and your doctor thinks it might be calcium deficiency, the doctor will first look at your medical history to rule out any genetic disorder that can lead to hypocalcemia. Then the doctor will assess the calcium deficiency in your family members too. A blood test will be done to understand the calcium levels in the body.

After the blood test, the doctor may check 3 things:

  • Ionized level of calcium
  • Total calcium level
  • Albumin levels

These 3 levels give you clarity on the severity of calcium deficiency. Occasionally, you may be recommended supplements to treat the ailment, and many people can recuperate through calcium sources.

Some of the severe symptoms are:

  • Sleepiness or confusion
  • Vomiting multiple times in one day
  • Enhanced urination
  • Nausea or vomiting sensation
  • Severe constipation
  • Muscle twitching
  • Diarrhea

Treatment Options

You can easily treat calcium deficiency by including an adequate amount of calcium in your diet. Nevertheless, prevent taking medication or supplements without consulting your doctor. You need a recommendation from a medical professional to consume the correct amount.

You can consume calcium supplements in chewable, tablet, or liquid forms. 

If you want to increase your calcium intake, try EvaFizz’s Cal effervescent tablets. It is specially formulated with Vitamin D3 for quicker calcium absorption.

 

 

 

Foods to Consume

If you have mild or moderate calcium deficiency, you can consume food calcium sources to increase calcium levels in the body. With the help of dairy products alone, you can increase calcium levels to up to 1000-1200 mg.

While dairy products are the most known, you can get calcium in various ways:

  • Fish like tuna or salmon
  • Leafy greens like kale
  • Milk
  • Eggs
  • Orange juice
  • Portobello mushrooms

Lifestyle Changes

You can make extra lifestyle changes to increase calcium absorption and the amount of vitamin D in your body. These changes indirectly help you promote the overall health of the body, including bone health.

  • Try reducing weight
  • Regularly exercise 
  • More exposure to sunlight
  • Reduce intake of alcohol or tobacco
  • Reduce unhealthy and unprocessed foods

Calcium is easy to consume on a daily basis through nutritional supplements. But when it comes to severe calcium deficiency, you should consult your doctor.

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