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5 signs of calcium deficiency you should know about

5 signs of calcium deficiency you should know about

Think you suffer from calcium deficiency? Here are 5 ways you can identify the deficiency.

Written by Editorial Team |Updated : November 16, 2015 4:00 PM IST

Calcium is widely regarded as an essential mineral that your body requires in order to stabilize and regulate blood pressure in addition to building strong teeth and bones. The lack of calcium in your body makes you prone to developing diseases like osteoporosis and hypocalcemia, and recognising its symptoms is important to get the right treatment. Here are some symptoms of calcium deficiency.

Memory loss and confusion

Calcium deficiency can lead to memory loss or confusion. This is because a low calcium levels affects the functioning of your nervous system. This will ultimately lead to mental confusion, delusions, hallucinations and memory loss. Apart from that calcium deficiency can also lead to certain neurological changes which could cause depression.

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Arrhythmias and hypotension

Calcium deficiency can also lead to hypotension or more commonly referred to as low blood pressure. Apart from that, other symptoms include cardiac arrhythmias as well as abnormal heartbeats. This deficiency can also lead to congestive heart failure, problems related to breathing, fatigue and swelling in the feet and ankles.

Dermatitis

When you lack calcium in your body, you are also prone to certain skin problems which may surface every now and then. As a result of the deficiency, your skin will start to feel noticeably coarse and dry while also exhibiting symptoms of eczema or dermatitis. Your skin could also be prone to a number of dark spots as a result of increased pigmentation.

Neuromuscular dysfunction

One of the other symptoms of a calcium deficiency is aches and stiffness, tremors and troubles with coordination. Thus, the deficiency can also slowly progress to muscle spasms as well as tetany - a condition which is characterized by the stiffening and cramping of muscles and joints. Also, it could lead to throat spasms which then make it difficult for you to breathe. Low calcium levels can also cause burning sensations and even numbness in the tongue, lips, feet or fingers. When calcium levels in the body reach a critical low, you could also be susceptible to seizures that could have fatal consequences.

Hypocalcemia

A consequence of low levels of calcium in you body is hypocalcemia -- low calcium levels in your blood. Calcium levels may fall slowly without really portraying noticeable signs. However, this takes a serious turn when calcium levels start to fall rapidly without much warning. It should be noted that when hypocalcemia goes undetected, more harmful symptoms such as neuromuscular signs will surface slowly but surely over a period of time. Ensure that you visit a doctor and receive medical attention because extremely low calcium deficiency can ultimately lead to an untimely death.

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