HYPERCALCEMIA Meaning and
Definition
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Hypercalcemia is a medical term that refers to a condition characterized by elevated levels of calcium in the blood. The prefix "hyper-" denotes an excessive or high amount, while "calcemia" is derived from the word "calcium." The normal range for calcium levels in the blood is approximately 8.5 to 10.5 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), but hypercalcemia occurs when levels surpass this range, typically exceeding 10.5 mg/dL.
When excess calcium is present in the bloodstream, it can disrupt the body's natural balance, leading to various symptoms and complications. Hypercalcemia can result from several different factors, including overactive parathyroid glands (primary hyperparathyroidism), certain medications, malignancies, vitamin D toxicity, or underlying medical conditions like hyperthyroidism. The severity of hypercalcemia can vary, ranging from mild cases with minimal symptoms to severe cases presenting with life-threatening complications.
Symptoms of hypercalcemia often include excessive thirst, frequent urination, constipation, fatigue, muscle weakness, bone pain, confusion, and even kidney stones. In severe cases, it can lead to cardiac arrhythmias, kidney damage, and coma. Treatment options for hypercalcemia depend on its underlying cause, but can include measures to address the symptoms, medications to lower calcium levels, intravenous fluids, or surgical interventions to remove any tumors causing the imbalance.
In conclusion, hypercalcemia is a medical condition characterized by elevated levels of calcium in the bloodstream. It can stem from various causes and can range in severity. Prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment are vital to prevent potential complications and manage symptoms effectively.
Common Misspellings for HYPERCALCEMIA
- gypercalcemia
- bypercalcemia
- nypercalcemia
- jypercalcemia
- uypercalcemia
- yypercalcemia
- htpercalcemia
- hgpercalcemia
- hhpercalcemia
- hupercalcemia
- h7percalcemia
- h6percalcemia
- hyoercalcemia
- hylercalcemia
- hy-ercalcemia
- hy0ercalcemia
- hypwrcalcemia
- hypsrcalcemia
- hypdrcalcemia
Etymology of HYPERCALCEMIA
The word "hypercalcemia" is derived from two roots: "hyper" and "calcemia".
1. "Hyper" comes from the Greek prefix "huper" (ὑπέρ), meaning "over" or "excessive". It is often used in medical terminology to indicate an excess or elevated state.
2. "Calcemia" comes from the combination of two roots: "calci-" and "-emia".
- "Calci-" refers to calcium, a chemical element with the symbol Ca. This root originated from the Latin word "calx", which means "limestone".
- "-emia" is a suffix derived from the Greek "haima" (αἷμα), meaning "blood". It is used to denote a condition related to the blood.
Similar spelling words for HYPERCALCEMIA
- hypercarbia,
- hypercapnia,
- hypercalcaemia,
- Hyperglucemia,
- hypercatalectic,
- hypercritical,
- hyperglycaemia,
- hyperkalemia,
- hypercalcinuria,
- hyperglycemia,
- hypersplenism,
- hypericaceae,
- hypericales,
- hypercalciuria.
