Hypomagnesemia Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Understanding
Hypomagnesemia is a condition when the level of magnesium in the blood is far below normal (<1.8 mg/dL). This condition is classified as very rare in normal people. Those who lack magnesium intake and use diuretic drugs are a group that is prone to experiencing hypomagnesemia.
Magnesium is a type of electrolyte that plays a variety of important functions in the body’s work processes. Among them are maintaining bone health, protein production in the body, supporting the work of the nerves, heart, muscles, and maintaining blood sugar stability and blood pressure. If the level of magnesium in the blood is insufficient, it is this whole body’s work processes that will be at stake.
Symptoms
In its early stages, hypomagnesemia can show some of the following symptoms:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Body feels weak
- Decreased appetite
If the hypomagnesemia condition continues and gets worse, the symptoms that will appear later are:
- Numbness of the body
- Wrinkles
- Muscle cramp
- seizures
- muscle stiffness
- Changes in behavior patterns
- Irregular heartbeat
Reason
Hypomagnesemia can be caused by several things, such as:
- Lack of intake of foods rich in magnesium. This is especially the case for malnutrition, alcoholism and the elderly.
- Reduced ability of the intestine to absorb magnesium from food.
- The wasting of magnesium from the body through the urine in the use of diuretic drugs and through the feces in cases of diarrhea.
- Long-term use of protein pump inhibitor (PPI) drugs, i.e. > 1 year accompanied by the use of diuretics.
- Use of amphotericin B.
- Type 2 diabetes mellitus, when there is an increase in the frequency of urination.
- Alcohol addiction.
- Use of certain chemotherapy drugs.
All of these conditions can cause decreased levels of magnesium in the blood that lead to hypomagnesemia.
Diagnosis
To determine the diagnosis of hypomagnesemia, a series of medical interviews, physical examinations, and supporting examinations are needed. This diagnosis can then be confirmed by examining blood electrolytes.
On blood electrolyte examination, a magnesium level of <1.8 mg/dL will be obtained. Normally, blood magnesium levels are in the range of 1.8–2.2 mg/dL. A person is considered to have severe hypermagnesemia if the level has touched <1.25 mg/dL.
Treatment
In its early stages, hypomagnesemia can generally be corrected with several stages of treatment, such as:
- withdrawal of drugs that promote the removal of magnesium from the body
- administration of magnesium supplementation in the form of oral medication
- encourage sufferers to consume foods that are high in magnesium, such as spinach, almonds, cashews, peanuts, soybeans, whole wheat bread, avocados, bananas, salmon and potatoes which are processed along with the skin
- in cases of severe hypomagnesemia, treatment is also carried out by administering magnesium supplementation through an infusion
Complications
Hypomagnesemia that is not treated immediately can lead to various complications such as:
- seizures
- irregular heartbeat
- coronary artery stiffness in the heart
- sudden death
Prevention
Hypomagnesemia can be prevented by avoiding various risk factors, namely:
- Maintain adequate intake of foods rich in magnesium.
- Do not carelessly use drugs such as diuretics and protein pump inhibitors. Make sure it is always under the supervision of a doctor.
- Avoid consuming alcohol.
- Keeping blood sugar levels stable in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus.