Magnesium is one of the most abundant essential minerals in the human body. It is primarily stored in bones. Small amounts even circulate in the bloodstream. This is why low magnesium levels, or hypomagnesemia, are a cause for concern.
Magnesium plays a role in the body’s metabolism. This in turn impacts a number of crucial bodily processes, including bone metabolism, heart function, blood pressure, and glucose and insulin metabolism. Magnesium deficiency can certainly disrupt these metabolic processes.
Come on, find out what the causes and symptoms of Hypomagnesemia are in the explanation below.
Causes of Hypomagnesemia
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According to Healthline , low magnesium levels usually occur due to decreased magnesium absorption in the intestines or increased magnesium excretion in the urine. For your information, low magnesium levels in healthy people are rare, as magnesium levels are largely controlled by the kidneys.
The kidneys increase or decrease magnesium excretion based on the body’s needs. Prolonged low magnesium intake, excessive magnesium loss, or the presence of other chronic diseases can lead to hypomagnesemia.
Hypomagnesemia is also more common in people who are hospitalized. This may be due to their illness, undergoing certain surgeries, or taking certain medications.
Risk Factors
Meanwhile, conditions that increase the risk of magnesium deficiency include:
1. Old Age
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Magnesium absorption in the intestine tends to decrease with age. Magnesium excretion in the urine tends to increase with age. Older people often consume fewer magnesium-rich foods. They are also more likely to take medications that can affect magnesium, such as diuretics. These factors can contribute to hypomagnesemia in older adults.
2. Gastrointestinal Diseases
Some gastrointestinal diseases such as celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, and chronic diarrhea can interfere with magnesium absorption or cause magnesium loss.
3. Type 2 Diabetes
Higher blood glucose levels can cause the kidneys to produce more urine. This also leads to increased magnesium loss in the body.
4. Alcohol Dependence
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Alcohol dependence can cause:
- Reduced intake of foods containing magnesium
- Increased frequency of urination and fatty stools
- Liver disease
- Vomit
- Kidney disorders
- Pancreatitis
All of these conditions have the potential to cause hypomagnesemia.
5. Use of Diuretics
The use of diuretics can sometimes cause the body to lose electrolytes such as potassium, calcium, and magnesium.
Symptoms of Hypomagnesemia to Watch Out For
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According to Medicalnewstoday , people with mild hypomagnesemia may have no symptoms. However, some symptoms that may appear include:
- Twitching, especially in the facial muscles
- Weakness or fatigue
- Nausea and vomiting
- Personality changes
- Frequent shaking or tremors
- Very prominent reflexes
- Constipation
Meanwhile, severe magnesium deficiency can cause:
- Muscle contraction
- Seizures
- Changes in heart rhythm
In a 2019 study, researchers noted that low blood magnesium levels may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and atrial fibrillation, a disorder that causes the upper chambers of the heart to beat uncoordinated.
Diagnosis of Hypomagnesemia
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A doctor will diagnose hypomagnesemia based on a physical examination, symptoms, medical history, and blood tests. While blood magnesium levels cannot tell you how much magnesium your body stores in your bones and muscle tissue, they can still help indicate whether you have hypomagnesemia.
Your doctor will likely also check your blood calcium and potassium levels. A normal blood magnesium level is 1.8-2.2 mg/dL. A blood magnesium level below 1.8 mg/dL is considered low. A magnesium level below 1.25 mg/dL is considered very severe hypomagnesemia.
How to Treat Hypomagnesemia
1. Mild Hypomagnesemia
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As reported by Healthline , hypomagnesemia can be treated by administering oral magnesium supplements and increasing the intake of foods containing magnesium.
These foods include spinach, almonds, cashews, whole grain cereals, soy milk, whole wheat bread, avocados, bananas, salmon, and baked potatoes eaten with the skin.
This treatment can only be given to someone with mild hypomagnesemia. Those with more severe hypomagnesemia require different treatments.
Consuming the foods mentioned above can also maintain normal blood magnesium levels and prevent hypomagnesemia. Make sure you include them in your daily diet.
2. Severe Hypomagnesemia
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According to Medicalnewstoday , if someone has severe hypomagnesemia, doctors will treat it by administering high doses of magnesium over a period of time. For example, if someone experiences this condition in the hospital, doctors may administer 1-2 grams of magnesium over 15 minutes. Doctors can only administer this to people with good kidney function and a stable condition.
If a person’s magnesium levels are consistently low, the underlying cause also requires treatment. For example, if the kidneys are losing too much magnesium, a doctor may recommend amiloride, a diuretic that increases urine output while limiting the loss of potassium and magnesium.
If the magnesium deficiency is severe, your doctor may recommend intramuscular or intravenous magnesium injections. Continuous monitoring can determine whether the treatment is effective and what further treatment is needed.
Treating hypomagnesemia is crucial. Extremely low magnesium levels can lead to fatal heart conditions. However, it’s also crucial not to self-diagnose and treat magnesium deficiency.
One should not take magnesium supplements, especially in high doses, without a doctor’s advice. Too much of any nutrient, including magnesium, can be harmful and cause imbalances in other nutrients.
Associated with Hypocalcemia and Hypokalemia
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Someone with very low magnesium levels may also have a calcium or potassium deficiency. Calcium deficiency is called hypocalcemia, while potassium deficiency is called hypokalemia.
Magnesium helps transport calcium and potassium ions into and out of cells. It can also contribute to the absorption of these essential minerals. This is why magnesium deficiency can lead to low calcium and potassium levels.
Treating only magnesium deficiency can worsen calcium deficiency because magnesium binds calcium. Doctors who suspect hypomagnesemia will usually also test for other deficiencies. This allows them to treat hypomagnesemia, hypocalcemia, and hypokalemia simultaneously.
Complications of Hypomagnesemia
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If hypomagnesemia and its underlying causes are left untreated, very low magnesium levels can occur. Severe hypomagnesemia can lead to life-threatening complications, such as:
- Seizures
- Cardiac arrhythmia
- Coronary artery vasospasm
- Sudden death
This is why it’s important to be aware of any symptoms. The sooner hypomagnesemia is diagnosed and treated, the sooner it can be cured.
So, that’s the information parents need to know about hypomagnesemia. Magnesium levels in the body are often overlooked and underestimated. However, magnesium plays a vital role in the body. Be aware of the symptoms and seek medical attention immediately if you suspect a magnesium deficiency.
www.healthline.com/health/hypomagnesemia#symptoms
www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322191#outlook
Republished with permission from theAsianParent Indonesia
