Calcium is needed to keep bones healthy. However, not everyone gets enough calcium intake. Some people even have low calcium levels or are known as hypokalemia. What are the symptoms of calcium deficiency in the body?
Calcium is a type of mineral that is obtained through food intake. Quoting Healthline, calcium plays an important role in bone and tooth health.
In addition, calcium also has other important roles such as for smooth blood circulation, moving muscles, and releasing hormones. Calcium also helps convey messages from the brain to other parts of the body.
Quoting Medical News Today, long-term calcium deficiency can affect teeth, the brain, trigger cataracts and osteoporosis.
Symptoms of calcium deficiency
At first, calcium deficiency will not show any obvious symptoms. Especially if calcium deficiency is only caused by minimal intake of certain foods.
However, in general, calcium deficiency can trigger the following things.
1. Muscle pain
The first symptom of calcium deficiency is muscle pain. In addition, symptoms will also be accompanied by pain in the thighs and arms when moving and numbness in some parts of the body.
These symptoms can come and go. However, usually the symptoms will not go away with physical activity. In more extreme conditions, calcium deficiency can even trigger seizures.
2. Extreme fatigue
Low calcium levels can cause extreme fatigue. This can also cause insomnia. Fatigue caused by calcium is usually accompanied by dizziness and decreased focus.
3. Dry and brittle nails
Low calcium levels can also affect nails and skin. Here are some things that can be caused:
- dry skin,
- dry, broken, and brittle nails,
- coarse hair,
- hair loss or alopecia,
- eczema,
- psoriasis.
4. Osteopenia
Low calcium levels cause the body to take some calcium from the bones. This makes bones brittle and prone to injury. Over time, the mineral density in the bones decreases. This condition is known as osteopenia. This condition can trigger osteoporosis which makes bones thin and prone to fractures.
5. Severe PMS
Low calcium levels have been linked to severe premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
6. Tooth decay
When the body lacks calcium, the body will take its reserves from the teeth. This can trigger various dental problems, including:
- tooth decay,
- brittle teeth,
- irritated gums,
- weak tooth roots.
7. Depression
Some evidence suggests that calcium deficiency is associated with mood, including depression. These are some symptoms of calcium deficiency that you can pay attention to. Fill your daily diet menu with calcium-rich foods.
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