Metabolic Disorders
Your metabolism uses chemicals to break down food you eat into sugars and acids. These sugars and acids can provide you with immediate energy, or this energy can be stored in your tissues.
Metabolic disorders damage your body by hurting your ability to get energy from food. Your metabolism is also involved in eliminating waste from your body, circulating blood and controlling body temperature.
Metabolic disorders are caused by defective genes, often inherited, that disrupt metabolism. Early diagnosis is helpful in most effectively treating a metabolic disorder.
There have been advances in the diagnosis and treatment of metabolic disorders. There are thousands of metabolic disorders with a wide array of symptoms and treatments. See your doctor with any questions about metabolic disorders.
Recently Answered
- Q Does hypercalcemia run in families?
-
There may be a small genetic component to hyperparathyroidism, one of the most common causes of hypercalcemia. Hyperparathyroidism often develops in those with no family history of the disorder. Other causes of hypercalcemia, such as cancer, may have a... Full Answer
1 Answer
A
- Q How do other illnesses affect hypercalcemia?
-
Hypercalcemia is most often a complication of other illnesses, such as hyperparathyroidism, cancer, or Paget's disease. Sometimes, diseases like tuberculosis can affect blood calcium levels. Conditions that elevate blood vitamin D levels can lead to... Full Answer
1 Answer
A
- Q Does hypercalcemia affect children differently than adults?
-
Hypercalcemia occurs far less frequently in children than it does in adults. It usually affects children with cancer. Children with cancer-related hypercalcemia may exhibit the same symptoms as adults. Less than one percent of children with cancer... Full Answer
1 Answer
A
- Q Is hypercalcemia serious?
-
Hypercalcemia affects muscle and nervous system function and also hampers kidney function. Serious complications can develop, including heart weakness, delirium, hallucinations, kidney damage, coma, and death. Hypercalcemia is a serious condition... Full Answer
1 Answer
A
- Q What is the rate of incidence for hypercalcemia?
-
Because hypercalcemia occur as a result of many different conditions, it is difficult to determine a rate of incidence for the condition. If you are immobilized, suffering from cancer, taking certain medications, such as lithium, you are at an elevated... Full Answer
1 Answer
A
- Q Is there a cure for hypercalcemia?
-
If hypercalcemia is the result of hyperparathyroidism, it can often be cured by treating the hyperparathyroidism. Surgery may be used to remove the malfunctioning parathyroid glands. Medication can help the parathyroid glands produce less parathyroid... Full Answer
1 Answer
A
- Q What do I need to know about caring for someone with hypercalcemia?
-
If you are caring for someone with hypercalcemia, make sure that person receives treatment for their condition from a doctor. If calcium levels are allowed to remain high, your loved one could suffer from muscle weakness, including dangerous weakness of... Full Answer
1 Answer
A
- Q How does hypercalcemia affect the body?
-
Hypercalcemia can affect muscle function, leading to muscle weakness and potentially fatal heart dysfunction. Hypercalcemia affects the nervous system and can lead to hallucinations, delirium, confusion, emotional problems, and coma. If hypercalcemia... Full Answer
1 Answer
A
- Q What causes hypercalcemia?
-
Hypercalcemia is caused by a dysfunction of the parathyroid glands, since the hormone they produce regulates levels of calcium in the blood. Hyperparathyroidism, or overactive parathyroid glands, can cause hypercalcemia. Some prescription drugs can cause... Full Answer
1 Answer
A
- Q How do I manage my hypercalcemia on a daily basis?
-
Hypercalcemia should ideally be treated and resolved, rather than managed, since it can result in serious complications like coma and death. If you are at risk for chronic or recurrent hypercalcemia, due to immobility, cancer, or other conditions, your... Full Answer
1 Answer
A
