What are the Symptoms of Hypercalcaemia?
What is Hypercalcaemia?
Hypercalcaemia is a condition in which the calcium level in your blood is above normal. It weakens your bones, creates kidney stones, and interferes with how your heart and brain work.
Symptoms of Hypercalcemia?
- More frequent urination and thirst
- Bone pain and fatigue
- Nausea and vomiting
- Headaches and constipation
- Reduced appetite
- Forgetfulness, irritability, and depression
- Muscle aches and weakness
- Cramping and or twitches
What Foods to Avoid if Calcium is High?
If you are diagnosed with hypercalcemia, avoid the following food choices as much as possible:
- Stop your intake of cheese, milk, pudding, ice cream, and yogurt
- Avoid buying products that have added calcium
- Canned salmon or sardines with soft bones
- Calcium-fortified orange juice
- Calcium-fortified ready-to-eat cereals
Complications of Hypercalcaemia
Hypercalcemia complications can include:
- Nervous system problems. Severe hypercalcemia can lead to confusion, dementia, and coma, which can be fatal.
- Osteoporosis. Bone fractures, spinal column curvature, and loss of height may result if your bones continue to release calcium into your blood.
- Abnormal heart rhythm. If you have hypercalcemia, the electrical impulses that control your heartbeat can be affected, resulting in irregular heartbeats.
- Kidney stones. If your urine contains too much calcium, crystals might form in your kidneys. Over time, the crystals can combine to form kidney stones and this can be extremely painful.
- Kidney failure. Your kidneys can be damaged by severe hypercalcemia, limiting their ability to cleanse the blood and eliminate waste products.
What Cancers Cause High Calcium Levels?
Cancers that more commonly cause high calcium levels in your blood include:
- Head and neck cancer
- Lung cancer
- Multiple myeloma
- Leukemia
- Kidney cancer
- Breast cancer
- Gastrointestinal cancers