Guest guest Posted March 2, 2002 Report Share Posted March 2, 2002 Dear L. Hypercalcemia is an excess of calcium in the blood. The two main conditions which lead to this conditions are a benign tumour on the PARATHYROID GLAND OR GLANDS (nothing to do with the thyroid glands), or cancer (generally lungs or breasts). The first condition, and most common reason for hypercalcemia is called hyperparathyroidism. The parathyroid glands have nothing to do with the thyroid glands, but their position in the body. They secrete a hormone which regulates the calcium in the body. The condition is usually diagnosed because of a number of symptoms, which may include kidney stones, osteoporosis, headaches, pancreatitis, symptoms of the nervous systems, pains in stomach, bone pains ... No symptoms are not present early in the disease. If left untreated, there can be permanent damage to the body as the kidneys cannot deal with the large amounts of calcium being excreted and begin to calcify, among other obvious deterioration in the body. If treated the condition immediately improves. Conventional treatment is removal of the diseased gland or glands (there are 4 tiny glands, and usually only one is diseased). When these glands are removed the remaining glands which had stopped during their job, start working again, usually within minutes of the removal of the diseased gland. There are no medical treatment at present which avoids surgery. The intervention is a minor operation and in some countries is done with micro surgery, and the patient goes home within hours. There are other reasons for excess calcium in the blood, but there are very rare. The above one is the most common. Regards, Jocelyne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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