CALCIUM IRREGULARITIES DUE TO DISEASEs-3

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HYPERCALCEMIA-ADDISON'S DISEASE

Prelude:-

Addison's Disease is a rare pathological condition that affects 1 in 100000 persons in the world. This disease affects almost all systems of the body's physiology, including minerals homeostasis.

Hypercalcemia is commonly associated with this disease due to adrenal cortex insufficiency and overactivity of the parathyroid hormone.

The etiology is unknown but it is believed that there is some abnormal elevation of the body's own defense mechanism which destroys the body's vital organs such as the adrenal cortex.

Because of the insufficient adrenal corticosteroids circulating in the blood there is an overstimulation of the anterior hypophysis to secret more and more Adreno Cortico Tropic Hormone (ACTH) to further complications.

Addison's disease is a fatal condition in which the body experiences insufficient adrenal activities. This is defined in short as an adrenal failure.

Adrenals are small in size and look like two small mushroom caps fitted above the heads of the two kidneys.
In this article we are not going to study adrenal glands but to have a prompt study about mineral metabolism including the calcium irregularities due to adrenal failure during Addison's disease.
Why only calcium?
because its irregular metabolism is more serious than other minerals metabolism even it may bring death within a year if it left unnoticed and untreated.
A lake of ADH (anti-Diuretic Hormone)secretion from the pituitary gland may raise sodium level by draining out empty water content in the urine.
In Addison's disease lake of aldosterone a mineralocorticoid may lead to severe potassium loss by distal tubule of the kidneys.
In Addison's disease the impaired adrenal glands do not sufficiently secrete glucocorticoids such as cortisol and hydrocortisone.
Glucocorticoids are responsible for the correction of serum calcium levels by eliminating extra calcium in the urine.
This is performed by increasing the glomerular filtration of calcium and reducing its reabsorption by the kidneys.
In Addison's disease this process is impaired due to insufficient glucocorticoids and the result is hypercalcemia.
In Addison's disease there is a high calcium input into the extracellular fluids leads to many complications such as vascular and nephron calcification and cardiac problems.
Further high bone resorption pours more calcium into the blood and makes the condition from worse to worst.
The serum dihydroxy vitamin D3 content becomes low.
Parathyroid activity is impaired.
Even though calcium irregularities associated with Addison's disease is rare but if hyperparathyroidism or treated hypoparathyroidism is followed by Addison's disease then here is 99% possibility to get hypercalcemia

Symptoms of Addison's Disease:

Although Addison's disease is uncommon and rare the medical condition is fatal. If you experience the following symptoms see a doctor.

1.More skin darkening areas like pigments

2.Deep tiredness, fatigue, and weakness.

3.Weight loss

4.G.I distress, nausea and vomiting, stomach pain.

5.Headache

6.Craving for salt.

7.Joint pain.

Addison's disease can be treated by administration fludrocortisone an analog of aldosterone to correct sodium and potassium level.
Glucocorticoid can be given to correct calcium metabolism 
Alternatively bisphosphonates, plicamycin, calcitonin (a parafollicular hormone of the thyroid gland), and loop diuretics along with rigorous rehydration can also be engaged by your according to the situations.
The administration of ACTH is a diagnostic test to find out the presence of Addison's disease.

KNOW YOUR CALCIUM IRREGULARITIES-DUE TO DISEASES-2

HYPERCALCEMIA-ZOLLINGER-ELLISON'S SYNDROME(ZES)

This condition usually affects the stomach, duodenum, jejunum, and pancreas, but some times it spreads its wings to (metastasize) outside the digestive system such as to the heart lungs and parathyroid.

The feature of this disease is formations of extra tumors to produce more secretions of the concerned organ of the body.

If it is stomach and duodenum the formed tumors over stimulates gastrin secretions which in turn causes more acid secretions into the stomach which causes ulcerations.

Similarly if it affects the parathyroid gland then there are higher secretions of Para-Thyroid Hormone (PTH) which in turn causes elevations of calcium ion in the blood.

PTH stimulates osteoclastic cells (bone cells) which causes erosion and resorption of calcium in the form of hydroxyapatite crystals to result in hypercalcemia associated with Zollinger- Ellison's Disease.

Elevations of calcium ion in the serum cause many complications such as calcium deposits in the blood vessels (vascular calcifications), kidney stones, and nephro-calcifications. 

Experiments have been demonstrated as patients having extra stomach tumors and have parathyroid hyperplasia (Zollinger-Ellison's Syndrome of both the organs) have got higher secretions of gastrin and gastric acid because of the elevated calcium ion in the blood due to parathyroid hyperplasia.

Hence experimentally it was shown that a parathyroidectomy (removal of the extra tumors of the hyperplastic parathyroid) causes a reduction in the serum calcium level and thereby controls the gastric acid secretions.

Hypercalcemia due to any etiology can cause

1.Kidney stones

2.High Blood Pressure due to vascular calcification

3.Cardiac Arrhythmias

4. High blood calcium may increase insulin resistance and decrease insulin receptor activities. Hypercalcemia also decrease insulin's action on fat cells due to a reduced number of glucose transporters (GLUT4)
High blood calcium due to hyperactivity of PTH can cause high blood glucose due to raised tissue insulin resistance.
5. Pancreatic hyperplasia may also be due to Zollinger-Ellison's tumors developed in the pancreas results in elevated pancreatic secretions.

KNOW YOUR CALCIUM IRREGULARITIES- DUE TO DISEASES-1

HIGH CALCIUM-PAGET'S DISEASE

                                

Calcium is an important mineral in regulating many physiological activities in our body system.

If the serum calcium level is above the normal range (8 to 10mg/dl or 2 to 2.5 mmol/L) the condition is known as Hypercalcemia
In this article, we are mainly going to see hypercalcemia due to Paget's disease.
Serum calcium level is raised alarmingly due to many causes such as over consumptions of calcium supplementations and comorbidities such as milk-alkali syndrome, overactivity of the parathyroid gland, use of certain drugs like thiazide diuretics, an oversupply of vitamin A and D.etc, etc.
But there are certain cancers such as cancerous neoplasms, Paget's Bone Disease, Addison's Disease, Zollinger-Ellison's syndrome, and Sarcoids can also raise serum calcium level alarmingly as a cancer marker.

1.Paget's Bone Lesions:-

This is a condition in which the normal bone tissue recycling process by the body is modified and the bone become fragile with painful lesions.

Paget's disease mostly occurs at the skull, pelvis, spine, breast, and legs.

The common sign is the formation of oozing eczema-like lesions with scaly skins at the site. If it is at the breast the nipple skin becomes hardened and scaly.

The doctor can diagnose if the above symptoms persist with x-ray alone or with blood tests and bone scans.

A blood test at the beginning will show the raising level of an enzyme known as Serum Alkaline Phosphate (SAP).SAP is normally produced by the bone cells to wear out the old bone cells to be replaced by new cells without affecting the serum calcium level.

But in diseased bones the cells double their production of SAP and the formation of new bone cells (bone sorption or formation) is overwhelmed by bone resorption or deformation and the malignant condition is known as Paget's disease.

At the beginning of the disease the calcium levels may be normal but in due course of time the calcium level becomes alarmingly raise due to severe and uncontrolled bone resorption. Some times the body uses the old bones to form abnormal new bones without using serum calcium.

Hence in blood test high levels of SAP are the indicator marker for Paget's disease.

The symptoms are very similar to arthritis and usually occur as joint pain, redness of the skin, swelling, and tenderness of the skin.
Paget's disease differs from osteoporosis, that in osteoporosis the bone becomes weakened by decreased bone mass and skeletal architecture due to focussed bone resorption, and the serum calcium level rises.
In Paget's disease the body absorbs old bones to remodel and form irregular bones without using serum calcium and phosphate.
Paget's disease may cause several complications including cancer as follows:-
1.Hearing Loss
2.Arthritis
3. Cardiac or heart problems
4.Nerve problems
5. Sarcoma but the possibility is 1 in 100
6.Tooth Problem
7.Vision problems

Causes

Doctors believe that a measles attack at the childhood age may cause Paget's disease later on.

Treatments

Treatments can control the progression of the disease but will not bring a full cure.

Bisphosphonates such as Etidronate and Pamidronate can be the drugs along with aggressive intake of Calcium and vitamin D

Etidronate can be given either by oral or IV route 

Pamidronate is the drug of choice for those who prefer the IV routes.

It is recommended for the age between 50 to 70 years 1000mg of calcium and 700 units of vitamin D per day should be given while taking bisphosphonates provided that hypercalcemia and hyperparathyroidism are ruled out.

For the age group above 70 years vitamin D should be given at the rate of 800 units per day.

Bisphosphonates and calcium should be given with a time interval of at least two hours as calcium may interfere with the absorption of oral bisphosphonates.
In both, the above cases calcium and phosphorous should be administered if the condition is not associated with hypercalcemia and hyperparathyroidism.

Bisphosphonates can inhibit the bone resorption process by reducing the functions of osteoclasts and the formation of hydroxyapatite crystals in remodeling the bones.
Also bisphosphonates reduce the reabsorption of calcium and phosphates by the kidneys and increase their excretion.

Side Effects:-

1. Pain in the pagetic lesions is often experienced

2.Nephrotoxicity (Kidney Failure)

There are other drugs such as calcitonin, gallium nitrate plicamycin that can also be used to treat hypercalcemia associated with Paget's Disease.

KNOW YOUR LOW SODIUM-HYPONATREMIA

LOW SODIUM

Sodium-Ion

Sodium is a light weighted metal. It is a strong basic metal and is present abundantly in our body fluids as a sodium ion.
It is a monovalent ion that can able to form a single electrovalent bond with a negatively charged monovalent ion such as chloride or bicarbonate ion.
In our body sodium is present in the extracellular fluids.
 The normal blood sodium level is 130 to 140 Milli Equivalents per liter. If the blood sodium level goes below 120 Milli Equivalents the condition is known as Hyponatremia
Sodium helps cells to be activated. Low sodium cause the following symptoms:-
1.Tiredness, Vertigo, and Giddiness
2.Nausea and Vomiting
3.Headache due to the osmotic effects in between the brain cells.
Due to low sodium in the intercellular fluids, and hypotonicity more solvent is drawn into the cells which may become bulged and ruptured and damaged.
Due to brain and nerve cell damage, one can experience along with headache, confusion, loss of energy, drowsiness, and fatigue.
4. Restlessness and irritability.
5.Muscle weakness and cramps.
6. Damaged cells cause seizures and coma.

Causes:-

Generally sodium is needed by our body to maintain normal body fluid balance, normal blood pressure, and to support the activities of nerves and muscles.

The following medications and lifestyle changes cause low sodium in our body:-

1. Long time use of diuretics (thiazide, loop diuretics), antidepressants, pain killers may cause low sodium.

2. Congestive heart failure and liver failure may cause more fluid accumulation in our body and can dilute sodium levels. 

3 High Anti-Diuretic Hormone (SHAH). High-level secretion of Vasopressin an antidiuretic hormone from the posterior pituitary may cause more ion free water to be reabsorbed by the kidney which dilutes blood sodium.

4. Dehydration due to severe chronic diarrhea, vomiting, and summer weather may cause sodium loss.

5. Drinking more water also may cause low sodium due to the dilution of body sodium ion.

6.Hormonal Disturbances, such as insufficient adrenal gland activity (Addison's Disease), in which there are insufficient secretions of adrenal hormones such as aldosterone to maintain normal mineral balances 

7. Low thyroid activity also can cause low sodium

8. Drug abuses such as amphetamine can cause a dangerous low sodium level.

Diagnosis

1.Blood Tests

2.Urine Tests

Treatments

1. If you are under medications such as diuretics and fluid intake then your doctor will advise you to adjust the diuretic dosage and cut back the fluid intake.

2.IV infusions of sodium fluids. Mostly a half normal saline (0.45% sodium chloride) can be used to raise the sodium level slowly in chronic hyponatremia.

The slow raising of sodium is very important as the rapid raising of sodium may cause brain damage.

3. To treat acute hyponatremia 

4. If a person can tolerate oral fluids he can drink saltwater or any salt preparation if there is no emergency.

5. Symptoms such as headaches, nausea, and vomiting can be treated with appropriate medicines

Cancer Marker

The following cancer incidence can be predicted by the low sodium from the time when it is diagnosed six months to one year time is for the occurrence of the following cancers.

1.Lungs

2.Liver

3.Brain

4.Pancreas

5.Kidney

6.Esophagus

7.Pharynx

8.Non-Hodkin lymphoma

MINERAL IMBALANCES-2-HYPOKALEMIA-LOW LEVEL POTASSIUM

2.HYPOKALEMIA-LOW POTASSIUM

              In this article we study the effects of low-level potassium in our body.

As we know that potassium is an inhibitory ion if its level becomes low in our body then naturally the excitatory effects of other ions such as sodium and calcium may predominate but that is not always the case in practice.

If the blood level of potassium is below 3 million mol per liter then it is said to be low-level potassium or Hypokalemia.

Junk foods such as processed fast foods are low in potassium. People who diet more with processed food only as their daily routine diet may likely to get potassium deficiency.

While taking fresh fruit we must ensure maximum to consume the whole fruit unpeeled. Most of the green vegetables and fruits are enriched with potassium on their skin.

Lake of potassium in our blood may lead to many complications such as cardiac fibrillation including both atrial and ventricular, which is due to uncontrolled heartbeats tachycardia and arrhythmias may follow.

Potassium is controlling healthy muscle contracts, healthy nerve functions, and regulating fluid imbalances.

Low-level potassium will affect almost all body organs and their functions including heart, liver, kidney, and lungs.

Symptoms:

1. Fatigue and dullness, these are the first signs of potassium deficiency. Because potassium maintains muscle contraction and low-level potassium may lead to weaker muscle contractions such as the muscles of the heart, lungs, and kidney. Weak heart contractions produce low blood circulations, low insulin production etc.etc.which leads to weakness and fatigue.

2.uncontrolled muscle contracts may lead to sudden muscle cramps.

3.Constipation and bloating because low potassium causes uncontrolled weak muscular contracts in the digestive system. Hence food movements inside the alimentary canal are very slow or almost nill.

4. Irregular and weak heart contractility leads to palpitations.

5.Muscle weakness and cramps

6.Tingling and numbness of the muscle. This condition is known as Paresthesia which usually occurs in fingers, legs, and arms.

7. Severe potassium deficiency may cause respiratory depression because of the weakened muscle contractions of the lungs.

8. Low potassium levels may also cause serious mental and mood swings.
9. The most important is potassium deficiency can cause more insulin secretions (Hyperinsulinemia)and serious hypoglycemic episodes.

Diagnosis:-

1.Urine Tests:-As a general theory sodium and potassium are competitive to each other in reabsorption and excretion. That means if more sodium is reabsorbed by the body then more potassium is excreted out and vice versa.

These games are controlled by aldosterone from the adrenal cortex and thiazide diuretics at Distal Convoluted Tubules (DCT) and loop diuretics(Lasix) at the Ascending Loop of Henle (ALH) of the nephron.

Aldosterone is the hormone secreted from the adrenal cortex, the only mineralocorticoid from our body plays a role in reabsorbing sodium with the excretion of a little potassium (2%) at the DCT.

Hence if more aldosterone secreted that means more potassium will be wasted out. In other words Hyperaldosteronism may also be a cause for potassium depletion from our body.

In urine usually if the sodium level is lower than 16 mEq/L then there is a high level of potassium is excreted out due to secondary hyperaldosteronism.

Urinary potassium assessments can be made from a 24 urine collection. The normal potassium excretion should not exceed 25 to 30 mEq of potassium per day. This an accurate method. If this method is not possible then follow the spot urine test involving the ratio of potassium to creatinine can be done as an alternate. In this method, if the ratio of potassium to creatinine is greater than 12 mEq/g creatinine (1.5 mmol) then there is an apparent loss of potassium 

2. Random Urine Potassium Concentration Tests can also be used. In this test the measured results should show a figure above 15 mEq of potassium per liter.

3.Tests of Acid-Base Balances:-

After the urine diagnosis the patients of uncertain origin can be subjected to these tests for confirmations.

Diarrhea due to G.I distress or laxative abuses may lead to loss of potassium.

Metabolic acidosis or alkalosis is common during diarrhea, diuresis, or vomiting.

Metabolic acidosis means the blood is more acidic due to heavy loss of alkaline ions such as sodium or potassium and more secretion of acidic ions such as bicarbonate and chloride with hydrogen ions.

On the contrary alkalosis is the vice versa. But in both cases there may be potassium loss due to sodium, and bicarbonate reabsorption.

Treatments:-

Treatments should be based on the etiology of the condition.

Hypokalemia is of two types

The real hypokalemia is due to the actual loss of potassium due to diarrhea vomiting, diuresis by the loop, and thiazide diuretics or aldosterone hyperactivity.

In severe depletion a potassium infusion may be helpful. Otherwise potassium supplements are prescribed by the doctor.
Foods enriched with potassium such as unpeeled vegetables and fruits, potato, sweet potato etc.etc.

The other type is pseudo-hypokalemia in which even though there is no potassium loss but the blood potassium level is lower due to high potassium redistribution within the body cells as in the case of hyperthyroidism, hypocalcemia, hypomagnesemia, and hyperinsulinemia.
In these cases the respective corrective treatments should be given.

Potassium Supplements:-

1.Potassium Gluconate

2.Potassium Iodide

3.Potassium Citrate

4.Magnesium and Potassium Supplements

 In all the above preparations potassium is supplied per dose not to exceed 100 mg for safety.

HEEL CRACKS-TREATMENTS

HEAL CRACKS

Heel bruises or heel cracks are the most annoying problems in our daily life.

The main causes of the bruises are crushed blood vessels in the soft heel muscle due to crashes or wearing ill-fitting and rough shoes and dry weather.

Further the problem can be escalated by jogging in ill-fated shoes.

A sudden blow to the heel such as during a fall can cause a contusion or injury to the muscle in and around the heel.

Heel bruise can some times cause bleeding under the skin even though the skin is not broken.

In some cases, the crack at the heel that looks like a bruise is actually maybe something else such as plantar fasciitis

A heel bruise can take several weeks to heal depending on their severity by its own course.

The following home remedies can be used to reduce their time course of heal and pain.

1. Apply a cold compress in the bruised area for 15 to 30 minutes daily for several times. This may help to reduce painful inflammation and healing time.

2. Some times applying heat may be helpful

3. In some cases applying heat and ice alternatively may be useful in reducing the inflammation and pain. You can choose any of the above according to your suit.

4. Elevate the foot often above your heart while you are lying on the bed in the day time and keep the foot above your heart with the help of a pillow while sleeping at night. This may help to reduce the healing time, pain, swelling, and inflammation due to free blood flow.

5. Avoid any activities such as exercises, playing on the ground, running, or walking fo a few days. Resting is very important for a quick heal.

6. Give gentle massages daily several times.

7.Apply a plaster which can give a gentle pressure if the skin is not broken

8. Use comfortable shoes

9. Avoid walking with barefoot in rough and hot surfaces

10. Severe unbearable pain can be relieved by taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (Brufen) and naproxen (Proxen).

When To See A Doctor:-

Even though a heel pain is a common complaint some times there may be some underlying serious causes such as injuries at the bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, and nerves.

A doctor can use x-rays or MRI scans to assess the real cause.

Plantar fasciitis which is due to the inflammation of the band of tissue, known as fascia may not heal its own butt needs a surgery.

Other conditions such as heel fractures, Achilles tendinitis, muscle or bone infections, and arthritis also require a doctor's attention.

See a doctor if you have the following conditions:-

1.If the pain lasts for more than 10 days

2.Intense pain

3.Less blood circulation due to swelling

4.Difficult walk or moving foot.

5.A fever following the pain.

BABY AND CHILD CARE:-

As a general in case of any injuries especially in the foot can affect the growth and development of the children. Hence see a doctor within a couple of days.

Home remedies are helpful only to adults.

HYPERKALEMIA-HIGH LEVEL POTASSIUM

MINERAL IMBALANCES-HIGH LEVEL POTASSIUM

                                    

  The metal potassium is an alkaline light metal with a valency of one that means on ionization it will lose one electron and will be positively charged as shown above.

Our body contains potassium usually as potassium chloride. Most of our body potassium is present in an intracellular fluid whereas sodium is present in extracellular or intercellular fluid.

Both the fluids contain the negatively charged chloride ions

Hence both the fluids contain sodium, potassium, and chloride in ionic forms only.

During when a cell is to be excited it needs to be depolarized.

Although both sodium and potassium ions are positively charged, the sodium ion is comparatively stronger than potassium, calcium, and the negatively charged chloride ion in depolarizing the cell. This can be expressed as follows:-

Na⁺ >Ca^++>>K⁺ >  >.> Cl^-

          Na+  ---- sodium ion

       Ca++ --- Calcium

       K+   ---- Potassium

       Cl--   = = Chloride ion

Hence from the above we come to know that when a cell is to be activated sodium ion should flow into the cell with the exchange of potassium ion which would effuse out. An action potential is initiated and when it reached its threshold the cell excited. After the excite the cell return to its rest by repolarization. 

During repolarization the respective ions reverse their flows.

Hence it is very clear that while sodium is considered as exciting ion potassium is to be considered as an inhibitory ion.

This is general physiology to be applied to all the voluntary and involuntary muscle actions including the heart muscles.

Now you can proceed with the following study.

When a person has higher than normal levels of potassium in the blood-the condition is medically known as HYPERKALEMIA-a dangerous life-threatening morbidity.

Generally, chronic hyperkalemia does not exhibit symptoms until to reach a critical level above 7 milliequivalents of potassium, which occurs most probably in End-Stage Kidney Disease. Hence doctors cannot do an immediate diagnosis. A milliequivalent is one-thousandth of the equivalent weight of potassium.

Usually acute hyperkalemia does exhibit symptoms seriously and immediately because the critical level is reached in a shorter period.
The normal level of potassium in our blood should be 3.2 to 5.5 mmol per liter (3 to 5 milliequivalent) of potassium.

Symptoms

1.Muscle Weakness

2.A general feeling of tiredness and fatigue

3.Nausea and vomiting

4.Muscle cramps

5.Breathing difficulties

6.Arrhythmias and chest pain

Causes:-

1.Chronic Renal Disease

2.Uncontrolled Hyperglycemia or DM

3.Medications:-
A.Pain killers such as NSAIDs like naproxen, ibuprofen, diclofenac, and aceclofenac.

B.Trimethoprim

C.Cyclosporin

D.ACE inhibitors

E.Beta-blockers

F.Calcium Blockers
G.Succinylcholine
H.Heparin
I.Digoxin
J.Mannitol
4.Heart diseases such as heart failure, and lower kidney functions and their treatment medications.
5. Tissue injuries can elevate the potassium level.
6. The lower level of aldosterone can elevate the blood potassium level 
Damage to the adrenal gland or genetic causes of lower adrenal function can lead to hypoaldosteronism.
7. High potassium intake by food or medication during renal insufficiency may elevate the potassium level in the blood.
8.Pseudohyperkalemia: This occurs when taking the blood using a syringe and needle or by cutting or stabbing with a knife may cause injury and hemolysis which may give a faulty reading of high-level potassium.

Foods That Contains High Potassium:-

1.Sweet Potato

2.Canned Tomato Paste, Canned Tomato Products, and Tomato Juice,

3.Beet Greens

4.Potato

5.Proteins such as White Beans, Clams, Halibut, Soybeans, Lima beans,

Tuna Fish and Cod Fish.

6.Unpeeled Fruits and Vegetables

7.Yogurt

8.Carrot Juice

9.Prune Juice

10.Dried Fruits such as dried prunes, apricots, and peaches.

Diagnosis:-

In acute cases, doctors will usually check,

1.Kidney functions

2.Heart functions

3.Hydration Levels

In chronic cases, doctors will ask for checking,

1.blood tests, urine tests, and other routine lab tests

2. Checking medications contains a high supply of potassium 

Treatments:-

1.In chronic cases which usually involves End-Stage Kidney Failure dialysis the choice of treatments

2. In acute cases, the following treatments may help to reduce potassium in the blood,

a)I.V. Injection of Calcium

b)I.V. Injection of Insulin (10 units) followed by I.V. Injection of 25 grams of Glucose

c)Albuterol a beta-agonist can be helpful along with other treatment options in some people. This is available as tablets.