In this Article

• Hypercalcemia Introduction
• What are the causes of hypercalcemia?
• What are the signs and symptoms of hypercalcemia?
• How is hypercalcemia diagnosed?
• How is hypercalcemia treated?
• What is the prognosis for hypercalcemia?
• Can hypercalcemia be prevented?
• Hypercalcemia At A Glance
• Patient Discussions: Hypercalcemia - Describe Your Experience
• Hypercalcemia Glossary
• Hypercalcemia Index

What are the signs and symptoms of hypercalcemia?

In the majority of patients with hypercalcemia, the signs and symptoms are minimal. In general, the symptoms increase with higher levels of calcium in the blood. In severe cases, the elevated calcium levels can cause abnormal heart rhythms with specific findings on electrocardiogram (EKG).

Because of the clinical findings that are seen in hypercalcemia, the symptoms are often described as "moans, stones, groans, and bones".

Some of the symptoms include the following:

Moans (gastrointestinal conditions)

• Constipation
  
  
• Nausea
  
  
• Decreased appetite
  
  
• Abdominal pain
  
  
• Peptic ulcer disease

Stones (kidney-related conditions)

• Kidney stones
  
  
• Flank pain
  
  
• Frequent urination

Groans (psychological conditions)

• Confusion
  
  
• Dementia
  
  
• Memory loss
  
  
• Depression

Bones (bone pain and bone-related conditions)

• Bone aches and pains
  
  
• Fractures
  
  
• Curving of the spine and loss of height

Hypercalcemia - Describe Your Experience

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