Calcium Deficiency DiseasesCalcium is one of the essential nutrients required for healthy bones. Whenever someone talks about calcium deficiency, only osteoporosis disorder strikes to mind. Osteoporosis is a disorder that results in broken bones. But calcium deficiency can affect your body in many other ways. It can lead to weakness, muscle pain and cramps, etc. in the human body.

Types of Calcium Deficiency

Calcium is required for strong bones and teeth, normal heart beat, hormone functionality, blood pressure regulation, and for powering muscle contractions. In simpler words, it maintains proper functioning of the body. It’s imperative to observe the warning signs of calcium deficiency but before that it’s important to know about the types of calcium deficiency.

Dietary Deficiency – It occurs in individuals who are not getting adequate amount of calcium through their diet. Dietary deficiency increases the chances of osteoporosis.

Hypocalcemia; Low Blood Calcium - It occurs due to low level of calcium within the blood. It is usually caused by certain medications or due to hyperparathyroidism

Symptoms of Calcium Deficiency

Dietary calcium deficiency usually have no symptoms until severe bone loss results in fractures or spinal problems. A few of the symptoms of dietary calcium deficiency are:

Bone pain Neck or back pain Stooped/humped posture Bone fractures due to minor trauma Loss of height

In Hypocalcemia, the body starts absorbing calcium from the bones due to deficiency of calcium in blood, in order to support the proper functioning of heart, brain, muscles and nerves. Mild hypocalcemia results in sore muscles. Once the blood calcium level comes to a normal level, the soreness will go away. A few symptoms of Hypocalcemia are:

Numbness Burning or prickling sensations Muscle cramps Loss of appetite Bleeding under the skin that looks like tiny red dots

Risks of Calcium Deficiency –

People having dietary calcium deficiency are at high risk of developing osteoporosis which includes inability to walk, spinal fractures, disability, etc. People suffering from Hypocalcemia may need to take medication throughout their lives. They are at high risk of developing osteoporosis as bones start absorbing calcium from the blood due to calcium deficiency in the body. Other risks of calcium

deficiency are eye damage, muscle soreness, kidney failure, and an abnormal heartbeat. It can eventually lead to death, if it’s left untreated.

Calcium Deficiency Treatment –

Calcium deficiency can be treated by adding calcium & vitamin D rich food to your diet. Adding dietary products like spinach, almonds, bok choy, dairy products, etc. will be beneficial. You can also consult with a doctor or dietician to know the amount of calcium required by your body depending on the age and sex. Doctor can also recommend you to add chewable calcium to your diet, if you have a high risk of calcium deficiency.