Magnesium deficiency | |
---|---|
Other names | Hypomagnesia, hypomagnesemia |
Magnesium | |
Specialty | Endocrinology |
Symptoms | Tremor, poor coordination, nystagmus, seizures[1] |
Complications | Seizures, cardiac arrest (torsade de pointes), low potassium[1] |
Causes | Alcoholism, starvation, diarrhea, increased urinary loss, poor absorption from the intestines, certain medications[1][2] |
Diagnostic method | Blood levels < 0.6 mmol/L (1.46 mg/dL)[1] |
Treatment | Magnesium salts[2] |
Frequency | Relatively common (hospitalized people)[2] |
Magnesium deficiency is an electrolyte disturbance in which there is a low level of magnesium in the body.[3] Symptoms include tremor, poor coordination, muscle spasms, loss of appetite, personality changes, and nystagmus.[1][2] Complications may include seizures or cardiac arrest such as from torsade de pointes.[1] Those with low magnesium often have low potassium.[1]
Causes include low dietary intake, alcoholism, diarrhea, increased urinary loss, poor absorption from the intestines, and diabetes mellitus.[1][4][5] A number of medications may also cause low magnesium, including proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and furosemide.[2] The diagnosis is typically based on finding low blood magnesium levels (hypomagnesemia).[6] Normal magnesium levels are between 0.6-1.1 mmol/L (1.46–2.68 mg/dL) with levels less than 0.6 mmol/L (1.46 mg/dL) defining hypomagnesemia.[1] Specific electrocardiogram (ECG) changes may be seen.[1]
Treatment is with magnesium either by mouth or intravenously.[2] For those with severe symptoms, intravenous magnesium sulfate may be used.[1] Associated low potassium or low calcium should also be treated.[2] The condition is relatively common among people in hospital.[2]
References edit
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Soar, J; Perkins, GD; Abbas, G; Alfonzo, A; Barelli, A; Bierens, JJ; Brugger, H; Deakin, CD; Dunning, J; Georgiou, M; Handley, AJ; Lockey, DJ; Paal, P; Sandroni, C; Thies, KC; Zideman, DA; Nolan, JP (October 2010). "European Resuscitation Council Guidelines for Resuscitation 2010 Section 8. Cardiac arrest in special circumstances: Electrolyte abnormalities, poisoning, drowning, accidental hypothermia, hyperthermia, asthma, anaphylaxis, cardiac surgery, trauma, pregnancy, electrocution". Resuscitation. 81 (10): 1400–33. doi:10.1016/j.resuscitation.2010.08.015. PMID 20956045.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Hypomagnesemia". Merck Manuals Professional Edition. Archived from the original on 19 October 2018. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
- ^ "Definition of Magnesium Deficiency". MedicineNet.com. Archived from the original on 31 May 2014. Retrieved 31 May 2014.
- ^ de Baaij JH, Hoenderop JG, Bindels RJ (January 2015). "Magnesium in man: implications for health and disease". Physiol. Rev. 95 (1): 1–46. CiteSeerX 10.1.1.668.9777. doi:10.1152/physrev.00012.2014. PMID 25540137.
- ^ Gommers LM, Hoenderop JG, Bindels RJ, de Baaij JH (January 2016). "Hypomagnesemia in Type 2 Diabetes: A Vicious Circle?". Diabetes. 65 (1): 3–13. doi:10.2337/db15-1028. PMID 26696633.
- ^ Goldman, Lee; Schafer, Andrew I. (2015). Goldman-Cecil Medicine E-Book. Elsevier Health Sciences. p. 775. ISBN 9780323322850. Archived from the original on 2018-10-10. Retrieved 2018-10-10.