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Tetany is a symptom characterized by involuntary muscle cramps or spasms, often caused by abnormal imbalances in the body's electrolytes, particularly calcium.
- It is a deficiency of calcium in the human body and can also be referred to as tetanic seizures.
- Insufficient calcium consumption leads to improper muscle contractions which results in cramps in the muscles of calves, arms, etc.
- Tetany also causes spasms, which means repetitive contractions of muscles and tremors.
- The cramps, spasms, and tremors are very painful and last for a long.
| Table of Content |
Key Terms: Tetany, Causes of tetany, symptoms of tetany, Spasms, Hypocalcemia, Alkalosis, Vitamin D
Causes of Tetany
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The human body is made up of thousands of cells, tissues, glands, nervous system, etc.
- To make the body parts function properly, it needs a proper diet, proteins, and nutrients.
- The lack of awareness about nutrition and junk intake creates malfunctions.
- Malfunctioning leads to improper functioning of different parts of the body.
Similarly, when the body doesn't receive adequate calcium, it can develop health problems such as
Hypocalcemia
It is a scientific term for the low calcium in the body. The symptom of hypocalcemia also occurs due to the deficiency of magnesium, plasma, and vitamin D.
- Fatigue, seizures, hypotension, and memory issues are some of its symptoms.
- It occurs due to kidney disease, diarrhea, constipation, stress, and intense exercise.
Alcohol Abuse
It means excessive consumption of alcohol. Severe alcohol abuse results in hypomagnesemia (deficiency of magnesium) which results in decreasing the number of parathyroid-hormone secretion and vitamin D which leads to hypocalcemia.
Hyperventilation
It is a health condition where the human breathes very fast i.e., the exhalation is more than the inhalation. Hyperventilation leads to a reduction in carbon dioxide in the human body and consciousness.
Malnutrition
It is defined as a lack of nutrient intake. It is one of the prevalent diseases in India where due to improper nutrient intake humans are very thin; they have swollen stomachs, etc. Lack of nutrition means lack of calcium which in turn causes tetany.
Medication
Medications are the medicines that a human takes to treat a disease. Many medicines reduce the level of calcium. And a long period continuation of that medicines leads to tetany.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding can also cause tetany, and sometimes it could be life-threatening and need immediate doctor consultation.
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Tetany Symptoms
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The following are the symptoms of tetany
- Diarrhoea
- Vomiting
- Lethargy (lack of energy & enthusiasm)
- Numbness
- Muscle ache/pain
- Rapid breathing or breathing shortness
- Hands/feet sensations
- Fingers shaking
There might be chances where a human can face severe tetany symptoms like fainting, loss of vision, seizures, severe headache, slurred speech, difficulty in writing, reading, talking, and thinking, and weakness in one side of the body.
Treatment of Tetany
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Before starting the treatment, it is necessary to diagnose the level, causes, and symptoms of tetany. So that proper required treatment can be followed to treat the disease.
- It could be treated with medicines that provide calcium, vitamin D, and magnesium to the body.
- Calcium carbonate is used in the initial stage of Hypocalcaemia.
- Calcium gluconate is used for muscle cramps or nerve weakness.
- Calcium chloride is used for patients in serious conditions.
- Early tetany treatment often involves dietary changes to boost calcium intake. Include calcium-rich foods like yogurt, milk, leafy greens, fortified cereals, and fruits.
- Magnesium administration to maintain optimum Mg2+ levels.
- Administration of isotonic fluids, and ammonium chloride in case of emergency (in case of alkalosis).
- To prevent tetanus, childhood vaccination with DPT (diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus) is recommended.
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Things to Remember
- Tetany is a calcium deficiency in the human body that leads to cramps in muscles, spasms, and tremors.
- It also leads to muscle contractions and changes in brain cells.
- Kidney disease, pregnancy, breastfeeding, alkalosis, alcohol abuse, hypocalcemia, and hypoparathyroidism could be the causes of tetany.
- Tetany is different from tetanus, it is an infectious and non-communicable disease.
- Tetany also causes spasms, which means repetitive contractions of muscles and tremors.
Sample Questions
Ques. What is Tetany? (2 Marks)
Ans. Tetany is a condition characterized by overstimulation of nerves that innervate muscles, leading to involuntary and sustained muscle contractions known as spasms. It can also be referred to as tetanic seizures.
Ques. What is meant by threshold stimulus in muscle contraction? (2 Marks)
Ans. The threshold stimulus, in muscle contraction, is the minimum strength or intensity a stimulus (like a nerve impulse) needs to trigger a muscle fiber to contract. If the stimulus is weaker than the threshold, no contraction occurs.
Ques. Is tetanus and tetany same? (1 Mark)
Ans. No, tetanus and tetany are not the same, although they are related to muscle contractions. Tetanus is caused by a bacterial infection by Clostridium tetani. Tetany is a symptom of various underlying conditions that cause electrolyte imbalances, particularly a lack of calcium.
Ques. What is the difference between tetany and tetanus? (3 Marks)
Ans. The following are the differences between tetany and tetanus
| Tetany | Tetanus |
|---|---|
| Tetany is a symptom characterized by muscle twitches, spasms, and seizures. | Tetanus is an infectious and non-communicable disease. |
| Tetany can be a symptom of various conditions, including tetanus and hypoparathyroidism. | These diseases can cause a range of symptoms, with tetany being one of them. Others include stiffness in the jaw muscles (lockjaw), fever, and rapid heart rate (tachycardia). |
| May be caused by various conditions such as hypocalcemia, hypomagnesemia, and hypokalaemia, as well as tetanus. | Tetanus is caused by the bacterium Clostridium tetani. This bacterium releases a neurotoxin that affects the central nervous system. |
Ques. What is the course of treatment for Tetany syndrome? (2 Marks)
Ans. The treatment becomes much less complicated when a doctor finds the source of the tetany. Once the imbalance is identified, correcting it can help the negative effects of the condition. For example, calcium and magnesium supplements can be beneficial in tetany therapy.
Ques. What causes Tetany? (2 Marks)
Ans. Tetany is a symptom primarily caused by hypocalcemia, a condition where the body has low calcium levels. Hypocalcemic tetany is characterized by decreased calcium in the blood, often due to electrolyte imbalances.
Ques. What hormone is responsible for the occurrence of Tetany in children? (2 Marks)
Ans. Hypoparathyroidism, a decrease in the function of the parathyroid glands, is a common cause of tetany (involuntary muscle contractions). Teething is caused by decreased production of parathyroid hormone, which is responsible for its occurrence.
Ques. What is alkalosis? (1 Mark)
Ans. Alkalosis is a condition characterized by an abnormally high blood pH level (more alkaline). This increase in pH disrupts the balance of electrolytes in the blood, particularly calcium.
Ques. What are 2 signs of tetany? (1 Mark)
Ans. The following are the signs of tetany
- Laryngospasm causes difficulty in breathing.
- Bronchospasms (when the muscles that line the airways in your lungs tighten).
Ques. Which electrolyte is increased in tetany? (2 Marks)
Ans. Tetany isn't caused by an increase in any electrolyte. It's a symptom of various electrolyte imbalances, most commonly a decrease in calcium (hypocalcemia), magnesium (hypomagnesemia), or potassium (hypokalemia). It can also occur due to alkalosis.
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