Magnesium deficiency
Magnesium deficiency
What is magnesium deficiency?
Hypomagnesemia is an electrolyte disorder characterized by a decrease in the concentration of magnesium in the blood below the recommended minimum.
Magnesium is the second most common element in the human body and plays important roles in the body, so magnesium deficiency can lead to serious disorders and symptoms that can affect the heart rhythm and calcium levels. Special blood tests can be performed to detect magnesium deficiency and treat it as quickly as possible.
Magnesium plays an important role in the following cellular and physiological functions:
Protein manufacturing, cellular energy production and storage, and DNA manufacturing.
Transmission of nerve signals and the processes of construction and demolition in bones.
The work of the heart muscle and the communication of signals between muscles and nerves.
Glucose and insulin metabolism and blood pressure control.
The normal rate of magnesium in the body
The normal range of magnesium in blood plasma ranges between (1.7 - 2.1 mg/dL).
Causes of magnesium deficiency
Magnesium deficiency occurs due to the following reasons:
Starvation, alcoholism, total intravenous nutrition and chronic diarrhea.
High levels of calcium in the blood, malabsorption disorders such as celiac disease and malnutrition.
Excessive urination associated with chronic diabetes, acute kidney failure, excessive sweating, and excessive aldosterone
Symptoms of magnesium deficiency
Low levels of magnesium in the blood cause the patient to develop the following signs and symptoms:
Loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, general fatigue, body weakness, numbness in the extremities and muscle spasms.
Convulsive seizures caused by excessive electrical activity in the brain and cardiac arrhythmia.
Coronary artery spasm, calcium deficiency, potassium deficiency in the blood, sleep disorders and insomnia
Diagnosis
Magnesium deficiency is diagnosed by linking the symptoms that the patient complains of to the following tests:
Laboratory examination to confirm magnesium deficiency in the blood and urine.
Blood test that detects calcium and potassium deficiency.
Electrocardiogram.
Comprehensive metabolic factors examination (glucose, calcium, chloride, protein, bilirubin, carbon dioxide, liver enzymes, etc.).
treatment
Magnesium deficiency can be treated with ease, provided that it is diagnosed correctly and based on the laboratory tests mentioned above. Treatment includes:
Giving fluids intravenously.
Giving magnesium orally, such as magnesium pills, or intravenously.
Giving medicinal treatments to alleviate symptoms.
Giving diuretics that reduce the excretion of magnesium in the urine (such as spironolactone)