Common symptoms that may indicate calcium deficiency: HCFI

Common symptoms that may indicate calcium deficiency: HCFI

New Delhi: June 18, 2016: Calcium is important for maintaining strong bones. It also helps in blood clotting, early developmental growth and muscle contraction and relaxation. Calcium can be easily obtained from natural food sources like leafy vegetables, yoghurt, nuts and cheese. However, the majority of the Indians, specifically in the age group of 14-20 years suffer from calcium deficiency due to lack of efficient absorption. “Calcium deficiency disease, also known as hypocalcemia, occurs when you don’t get enough calcium. It is crucial that people are educated about the effects of calcium deficiency on the overall health and wellbeing of people in the long run. Those suspected of suffering from calcium deficiency should not self-diagnose and treat themselves by consuming large amounts of calcium supplements. Instead, it is important that they consult their doctor and together devise a healthy eating plan supported by supplementation,” said Padma Shri Awardee Dr KK Aggarwal – Honorary Secretary General IMA & President Heart Care Foundation of India (HCFI) The natural ageing process can cause calcium deficiency disease. Most of the calcium in your body is stored in your bones. As you age, your bones begin to thin or become less dense, increasing your daily calcium requirement. It’s important that women, in particular, get their calcium levels checked in their middle age and take necessary supplementation for the decline in the hormone estrogen during menopause causes a woman’s bones to thin faster. Other causes of calcium deficiency disease include malnutrition (starvation), hormone disorder hypoparathyroidism, premature delivery and malabsorption. Malabsorption is when your body can’t absorb the vitamins and minerals you need from the food you eat. A few signs and symptoms of calcium deficiency that everyone should be aware of include: - Muscle cramps: Despite an adequate level of haemoglobin and sufficient water intake, if you suffer from regular muscle cramps, it could be a sign of calcium deficiency. · Low bone density: Calcium is required for mineralisation of bones to keep them strong, as we grow old. Therefore, low calcium levels directly affect the bone density and increases susceptibility to osteoporosis and fractures. · Brittle nails: Our nails need calcium deposits for maintaining their strength. Lack of calcium can make our nails brittle and weak. A · toothache: Given that about 99% of our body’s calcium is stored in our bones and teeth, calcium deficiency is bound to cause toothache and decay. · Menstrual cramps: Women suffering from calcium deficiency may face high levels of pain during menstruation given the crucial role played by calcium in muscle contraction and relaxation. · Low immunity: Calcium helps maintain a healthy immune system. The deficiency of calcium reduces body’s resistance against pathogen attack. · Neurological problems: Lack of calcium can cause neurological problems such as seizures and headaches that occur due to excess pressure on the head. A deficiency in calcium may lead to neuropsychiatric symptoms like depression, insomnia, personality changes and even dementia. · Palpitation: Calcium is required for your heart to function properly and in case, of a deficiency; your heart palpitation will increase to an abnormal speed and result in uneasiness too. Calcium helps the heart pump blood and enables the heart to contract well too. If you are suffering from any of these symptoms, it is important to consult your doctor who will then advise a blood test to determine your body’s calcium levels. The cure to calcium deficiency includes consuming a high calcium diet and supplementation.

ZIKA and Indian Athletes going to Brazil Olympics

Zika, a viral infection causes fever, rash, joint pain, red eyes. It spreads mainly through aedes mosquito bites. But can also spread from a pregnant mother to her unborn baby, and through anal, oral or vaginal sex. 

If acquired during pregnancy it can cause microcephaly in foetus. If one is not pregnant or not planning to get pregnant it is likely to be harmless. 

ZIKA and Indian Athletes going to Brazil Olympics

Dr KK Aggarwal

Zika is seen in Africa, Southeast Asia, Pacific Islands, Central and South America, Mexico, Caribbean, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. No cases have yet been reported in India.

Most (80%) people infected with Zika have no or only mild symptoms. If there are symptoms, they usually happen 2 to 12 days after being bitten by a mosquito that has the virus.

It can also cause Guillain-Barré syndrome.

If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant avoid traveling to countries where there is Zika virus.

There is no specific treatment. Treatment involves rest, drink plenty of fluids & paracetamol. Do not take aspirin. In children, aspirin can cause a serious problem called Reye syndrome.

For prevention stay inside when the aedes are most active. They bite during the daytime, in the very early morning, and in the few hours before sunset. Buildings with screens and air conditioning are safest. Wear shoes, long-sleeved shirts, and long pants when you go outside. Wear bug spray or cream that contains DEET or a chemical called picaridin. Do not use DEET on babies younger than 2 months. On your clothes and gear, use bug repellants that have a chemical permethrin. Drain any standing water. Avoid mosquito bites if you have already gotten Zika to stop further spread.

If you have been to a country where there is Zika virus, you should not donate blood for at least 4 weeks afterwards. There is no vaccine for Zika virus infection.

Travellers returning from areas with Zika virus transmission should abstain from or have only protected sex for at least eight weeks. Couples planning to conceive should also wait eight weeks—or six months if the male partner has symptoms of the virus. Previously, IMA recommended abstinence or protected sex for four weeks following a person’s return from an area where Zika is circulating. All Indian athletes and visitors attending this summer’s Olympic and Paralympic Games Rio 2016 should use condoms while in Rio and for eight weeks after returning home.

WHO has already ruled out any change in timing or the location of the upcoming Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. In last common wealth games also in India there was a threat of deadly dengue virus.  unnecessary risk is posed when 500,000 foreign tourists from all countries attend the Games, potentially acquire that strain, and return home to places where it can become endemic.

IMA has warned to all those travelling to Brazil to take precautions against mosquito bites, and have said pregnant women should avoid areas where Zika is circulating, including Rio.