Calcium is an important element that can also be found in small amounts in some shellfish and green vegetables. It is possible for a person to develop a calcium shortage if they do not get enough calcium in their diet or through the use of dietary supplements. This can result in symptoms such as sore muscles and brittle bones.
The following information will walk you through the amazing ways to deal with calcium deficiency at home.
What Is The Purpose Of Calcium?
Calcium is an important mineral that helps keep the body running smoothly by contributing to a wide range of physiological functions, such as bone health, muscle function, neuron function, blood clotting, hormone production, and enzyme performance. Calcium is essential for many reasons, including:
- Strong bones and teeth can only be achieved and maintained with adequate calcium intake. It aids in bone formation and development and is hence essential to the skeletal system.
- Muscular contraction, necessary for walking, running, and even breathing, is facilitated by calcium.
- Calcium has a big effect on how blood clots, which is important if you want to stop bleeding after an injury.
- Calcium is required for the release of hormones like insulin, which play an important role in maintaining homeostasis in the body by controlling a wide range of physiologic activities.
Hence, to get calcium in your body, you can also have quick snacks full of calcium, like tuna jerky.
Signs And Symptoms
Calcium is a mineral that is needed for many processes in the body. Not getting enough calcium can have serious effects on your physical and mental health.
If the deficit is the result of poor dietary habits, no warning signs typically appear. Long-term effects may include a condition called osteopenia, which causes bones to become weak. It can cause osteoporosis, or brittle bones, if not treated.
Calcium shortage is not typically due to poor eating habits but rather to medical conditions or treatments, including kidney failure, stomach removal, or the use of certain medications like diuretics.
Read on for a more in-depth examination of calcium deficiency symptoms.
- Muscle Problems
Symptoms of a calcium shortage include:
- pain, tightness, and spasms in the muscle
- symptoms such as leg and arm pain on movement, numbness and tingling in the limbs and face, and difficulty swallowing
- These symptoms could come and go, but they typically don’t go away when you start working out.
- Fatigue
Extreme fatigue from calcium deficiency can be characterized by a loss of energy and a general sense of being slow. Insomnia is another possible outcome.
Calcium deficiency can cause lightheadedness, dizziness, and “brain fog,” which causes trouble focusing, forgetfulness, and a general feeling of being lost.
- Dental Problems
When calcium levels drop too low, the body starts to deplete stores like the teeth. Among the dental issues this can cause:
- the deterioration of teeth
- damaged enamel and inflamed gums
- Roots that are weak
Lack of calcium in infants may impede tooth development.
- Osteoporosis And Osteopenia
Bones are excellent at storing calcium, but they need a lot of it to stay healthy and robust. When calcium stores are low, the body may reroute part of it away from the bones, leaving them weak and more likely to break.
Too little calcium in the diet can lead to osteopenia and a gradual loss of bone density.
- Depression
There is some evidence that calcium insufficiency is associated with mood disorders, including depression, but this needs to be confirmed by additional research.
Anyone experiencing depressive symptoms and concerned that a lack of calcium may be a factor should see a doctor. If the patient’s calcium level is low, the doctor may suggest that the person take a calcium supplement.
- Nail And Skin Symptom
A persistent calcium shortage can cause:
- dry skin, dry, damaged, or brittle nails
- problems with coarse hair Eczema, an infection of the skin that can create itchy, dry patches, and bald spots
- psoriasis
How To Prevent Calcium Deficiency
Increasing calcium intake through diet is the method that is both the safest and most straightforward for treating or preventing a calcium deficit.
Foods such as these are good sources of calcium:
- dairy goods, including cheese, milk, and yogurt, to name a few
- beans
- figs
- broccoli, tofu, soy milk
- breakfast cereals enriched with spinach
- nut and seed products, such as almonds and sesame seeds, among others
- There are about 88 milligrams of calcium in 1 teaspoon of sesame. You can consume it by adding it to your food, salad, or soup.
- Seafood is acceptable for non-vegetarians. Mackerel, salmon, tuna, and other fish are all fair game.
- Calcium insufficiency can also be remedied by consuming two oranges daily.
- The body also requires vitamin D3 in addition to calcium. In doing so, it facilitates calcium absorption in the body.
See your primary care physician before beginning to take calcium supplements. When a person eats too much calcium, they can get a condition called hypercalcemia. This can make it more likely for them to get heart disease, kidney stones, and other serious health problems.
Calcium injections are something a doctor might recommend if a patient has a severe calcium deficit or if taking supplements or making dietary changes isn’t producing satisfactory results.
When To Visit The Doctor
Calcium deficiency symptoms warrant medical attention for anyone concerned. They can get blood tests done to measure calcium levels.
Hypocalcemia, or calcium deficiency, is when the amount of calcium in the blood is less than 8.8 milligrams per deciliter.
A calcium intake of 1,000 mg per day is considered enough for healthy persons aged.
Yet, there is a greater requirement for the elderly: a daily calcium intake of 1,200 mg is recommended for women over the age of 51 and men over the age of 71.
Conclusion
The way people eat, their health issues, or the medications they take can all contribute to calcium deficiency. The best strategy is to increase the amount of calcium in one’s diet. When this is not an option, the physician may suggest taking supplements, which can come in the form of oral tablets or injections. Most people who go through treatment say their symptoms improve within a few weeks of starting treatment.