Magnesium is one of the most abundant essential minerals in your body. It’s primarily stored in the bones of your body. A very small amount of magnesium circulates in your bloodstream.
Magnesium plays a role inover 300 metabolic reactions in your body. These reactions impact a number of very important body processes, including:
- protein synthesis
- cellular energy production and storage
- stabilization of cells
- DNA synthesis
- nerve signal transmission
- bone metabolism
- cardiac function
- the conduction of signals between muscles and nerves
- glucose and insulin metabolism
- blood pressure
Early signs of low magnesium include:
- nausea
- vomiting
- weakness
- decreased appetite
As magnesium deficiency worsens, symptoms may include:
- numbness
- tingling
- muscle cramps
- seizures
- muscle spasticity
- 个性changes
- abnormal heart rhythms
Low magnesium is typically due to decreased absorption of magnesium in the gut or increased excretion of magnesium in the urine. Low magnesium levels in otherwise healthy people are uncommon. This is because magnesium levels are largely controlled by the kidneys. The kidneys increase or decrease excretion (waste) of magnesium based on what the body needs.
Continually low dietary intake of magnesium, excessive loss of magnesium, or the presence of other chronic conditions can lead to hypomagnesemia.
海波magnesemia is also more common in people who are hospitalized. This may be due to their illness, having certain surgeries, or taking certain types of medication. Very low magnesium levels have been
Conditions that increase the risk of magnesium deficiency include gastrointestinal (GI) diseases, advanced age,type 2 diabetes, use of loop diuretics (such as Lasix), treatment with certain chemotherapies, and alcohol dependence.
GI diseases
Celiac disease,Crohn’s disease, andchronic diarrheacan impair the absorption of magnesium or result in increased magnesium loss.
Type 2 diabetes
Higher concentrations of blood glucose can cause the kidneys to excrete more urine. This also causes increased loss of magnesium.
Alcohol dependence
Alcohol dependence can lead to:
- poor dietary intake of magnesium
- increase in urination and fatty stools
- liver disease
- vomiting
- kidney impairment
- pancreatitis
- other complications
All of these conditions have the potential to result in hypomagnesemia.
Older adults
Gut absorption of magnesium tends to decrease with age. Urinary output of magnesium tends to increase with age. Older adults often eat fewer magnesium-rich foods. They’re also more likely to take medication that can affect magnesium (such as diuretics). These factors can lead to hypomagnesemia in older adults.
Use of diuretics
Use of loopdiuretics(such as Lasix) can sometimes lead to loss of electrolytes such as potassium, calcium, and magnesium.
Your doctor will diagnose hypomagnesemia based on a physical exam, symptoms, medical history, and a blood test. Ablood magnesium leveldoesn’t tell you the amount of magnesium your body has stored in your bones and muscle tissue. But it’s still helpful for indicating whether you have hypomagnesemia. Your doctor will likely also check your bloodcalciumandpotassiumlevels.
A normal serum (blood) magnesium level is 1.8 to 2.2 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). Serum magnesium lower than 1.8 mg/dL is considered low. A magnesium level below 1.25 mg/dL is considered very severe hypomagnesemia.
海波magnesemia is typically treated with oral magnesium supplements and increased intake of dietary magnesium.
An estimated 2 percent of the general population has hypomagnesemia. This percentage ismuch higherin hospitalized people. Studies estimate that nearly half of all Americans — and70 to 80 percentof those over the age of 70 — aren’t meeting their daily recommended magnesium needs. Getting your magnesium from food is best, unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
Examples ofmagnesium-rich foodsinclude:
- spinach
- almonds
- cashews
- peanuts
- whole grain cereal
- soymilk
- black beans
- whole wheat bread
- avocado
- banana
- halibut
- salmon
- baked potato with the skin
If your hypomagnesemia is severe and includes symptoms such as seizures, you may receive magnesium intravenously, or by IV.
If hypomagnesemia and its underlying cause remain untreated, severely low magnesium levels can develop. Severe hypomagnesemia can have life-threatening complications such as:
- seizures
- cardiac arrhythmias (abnormal heart patterns)
- coronary artery vasospasm
- sudden death
海波magnesemia can be caused by a variety of underlying conditions. It can be treated very effectively with oral or IV magnesium. It’s important to eat a balanced diet to ensure you’re getting enough magnesium. If you have conditions such as Crohn’s disease or diabetes, or take diuretic medications, work with your doctor to ensure that you don’t develop low magnesium. If you have symptoms of low magnesium, it’s important to see your doctor to prevent the development of complications.
