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Disorders of Calcium Metabolism

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Geriatric Diseases

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Abstract

Malignancy and hyperparathyroidism are the most common causes of hypercalcaemia, and malignancy accounts for about 65% in the hospital. Patients with acute hypercalcaemia usually present with gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, anorexia and dehydration. Hypercalcaemia may produce ECG changes. Hypocalcaemia has a prevalence of 85% in ICU and 18% of all hospital patients. Patients with hypocalcaemia are symptomatic (tetany, seizures) or at high risk of developing complications. The chapter discusses the mechanisms underlying the disorders of calcium metabolism, their clinical manifestations and management.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Sydney Medical School (Westmead), The University of Sydney, 20 Panaview Crescent, 2151, North Rocks, NSW, Australia

    Nages Nagaratnam & Kujan Nagaratnam

  2. Rehabilitation and Aged Care Service, Blacktown-Mt Druitt Hospital, 2148, Sydney, NSW, Australia

    Gary Cheuk

Authors
  1. Nages Nagaratnam
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  2. Kujan Nagaratnam
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  3. Gary Cheuk
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Correspondence to Nages Nagaratnam .

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Nagaratnam, N., Nagaratnam, K., Cheuk, G. (2017). Disorders of Calcium Metabolism. In: Geriatric Diseases. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-32700-6_52-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-32700-6_52-1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-32700-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-32700-6

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference MedicineReference Module Medicine

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