Hypercalcaemia
Hypercalcaemia
Hypercalcaemia (pronounced: hi-per-kal-see-mee-uh) is a medical condition characterized by an abnormally high level of calcium in the blood.
Etymology
The term "Hypercalcaemia" is derived from the Greek words "hyper" meaning 'over' or 'above', "calcium" referring to the chemical element, and "-emia" meaning 'condition of the blood'.
Definition
Hypercalcaemia is defined as a total serum calcium concentration greater than 2.6 mmol/L (10.5 mg/dL) or an ionized calcium concentration greater than 1.32 mmol/L (5.2 mg/dL).
Causes
Hypercalcaemia can be caused by various conditions, most commonly hyperparathyroidism and cancer. Other causes include excessive intake of vitamin D or calcium, certain medications, and diseases such as tuberculosis or sarcoidosis.
Symptoms
Symptoms of hypercalcaemia can range from mild to severe and may include fatigue, depression, confusion, nausea, vomiting, constipation, muscle weakness, bone pain, frequent urination, and irregular heart rhythms. In severe cases, it can lead to kidney stones, osteoporosis, and kidney failure.
Treatment
Treatment for hypercalcaemia depends on the underlying cause and the severity of the condition. It may include hydration, medications to lower the calcium level in the blood, and treatment of the underlying cause.
Related Terms
- Hypocalcaemia: A condition characterized by low levels of calcium in the blood.
- Hyperparathyroidism: A condition in which the parathyroid glands produce too much parathyroid hormone, leading to high levels of calcium in the blood.
- Osteoporosis: A condition characterized by weak and brittle bones, often due to loss of bone mass.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Hypercalcaemia
- Wikipedia's article - Hypercalcaemia
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski