What are the symptoms of low calcium convulsions? Characteristics of low calcium convulsions

Many people don’t know much about the symptoms of low calcium convulsions, mainly because there are no obvious clinical symptoms. However, this problem needs to be taken seriously because if it is severe, it can cause bronchial and wrist spasms, or epileptic seizures.

Hypocalcemia often has no obvious clinical symptoms. The severity of clinical symptoms is not completely consistent with the degree of hypocalcemia, but is related to the speed and duration of hypocalcemia. A rapid drop in blood calcium, even at a level of 2 mmol/l, can cause clinical symptoms. The clinical manifestations of hypocalcemia are mainly related to increased neuromuscular excitability.

1. Neuromuscular system: Since calcium ions can reduce the excitability of neuromuscular system, the excitability of neuromuscular system increases in hypocalcemia. Muscle spasms may occur, and the early stage of peripheral nervous system numbness of fingers/toes. In mild cases, typical tics can be induced by facial nerve percussion test (Chvostek sign) or arm pressure test (Trousseau sign). Severe hypocalcemia can cause spasms of the larynx, wrists, feet, bronchi, etc., epileptic seizures and even respiratory arrest. Psychiatric symptoms such as irritability, depression, and cognitive impairment may also occur.

2. Cardiovascular system: mainly arrhythmias such as conduction block. In severe cases, ventricular fibrillation may occur. Heart failure may cause poor response to digitalis. The typical electrocardiogram shows a marked prolongation of the QT interval and ST segment.

3. Bones, skin and soft tissue: Chronic hypocalcemia may manifest as bone pain, pathological fractures, bone deformities, etc. Bone lesions can be osteomalacia, osteoporosis, rickets, osteitis fibrosa cystica, etc. depending on the underlying cause. Patients with chronic hypocalcemia often have dry, inelastic, dull and itchy skin; they are also prone to thinning hair, brittle nails and loose teeth. Cataracts caused by hypocalcemia are more common.

4. Hypocalcemic crisis: When the blood calcium level is lower than 0.88mmol/L (3.5mg/dl), severe voluntary muscle and smooth muscle spasms may occur, leading to convulsions, epileptic seizures, severe asthma, and severe symptoms may cause laryngeal muscle spasms leading to suffocation, heart failure, and cardiac arrest.