According to Dr. Nguyen Van Bang - former deputy head of the pediatrics department at Bach Mai Hospital, hypocalcemia is a condition in which the calcium level in the blood is lower than normal. Total serum calcium concentration is less than 8.5 mg/dL, under normal plasma protein conditions, ionized calcium is below 4.5 mg/dL.

Hypocalcemia comes from many different causes, the disease can come from lifestyle, diet or appear from complications of some other diseases. Among them, there are some causes of hypocalcemia such as insufficient calcium supply to the body; lack of vitamin D; people with kidney diseases; people using drugs with side effects that inhibit calcium absorption...

"In addition, hypocalcemia is also related to the parathyroid hormone PTH. This hormone plays a role in regulating calcium levels in the blood, so any change in PTH can affect calcium in the blood. On the other hand, diseases such as pancreatitis are also causes of the disease," Dr. Bang stated.

Acute hypocalcemia often causes clinical and paraclinical manifestations when plasma calcium concentration is <1.9 mmol/l.

Patients often have symptoms of numbness around the mouth, fingertips, toes; convulsions, muscle pain throughout the body, facial muscle spasms; muscle stiffness in the back and legs; difficulty breathing, acute heart failure; laryngeal and bronchial spasms...

With chronic hypocalcemia, this may be a consequence of reduced parathyroid hormone secretion, vitamin D deficiency, impaired response to parathyroid hormone or vitamin D. Patients often have symptoms such as dry hair, dry skin, brittle fingernails and toenails; enamel hypoplasia, teeth that are easily damaged and broken...

"Through the causes that can cause hypocalcemia, people can proactively prevent the disease. First, it is necessary to pay attention to regular health check-ups to help detect and treat the disease promptly. Eat foods rich in calcium including yogurt, milk, cereals, cheese and dark green vegetables.

This is the best, most effective and easiest way to ensure calcium intake for the body. Regular exercise such as walking, swimming and some other sports will help strengthen bones and improve your health.

In particular, do not smoke because smoking will cause calcium loss through urine. In addition, you should consult your doctor about using some calcium and vitamin D supplements," Dr. Bang recommended.