Low Calcium

Having the right amount of calcium in your blood is essential for normal cellular processes to take place. When not enough of this ingredient is present due to hypoparathyroidism, kidney disease or a vitamin D deficiency, this condition is called hypocalcemia. Most commonly, the condition is caused by hypoparathyroidism that is brought on by the surgical removal of the parathyroid gland to address head and neck cancers. The primary treatment for low calcium is intravenous therapy with calcium gluconate or calcium chloride and regular monitoring and management of both calcium and vitamin D. Left untreated, hypocalcemia can result in seizures, dementia, cognitive impairment in children, muscle spasms or stiffness, heart problems and other serious symptoms.