Hypercalcinuria is a medical term referring to the excessive presence of calcium in urine. The word is spelled "hahy-per-kal-suh-noo-ree-uh" in IPA phonetic transcription. The stress in the word is on the second syllable, "per". The first syllable, "hyper", means excessive, while the second syllable, "calc", refers to calcium, and the suffix "-uria" indicates the presence of a substance in urine. This term is often used in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions related to abnormal calcium levels in the body.
Hypercalcinuria is a medical condition characterized by an excessive amount of calcium excretion in the urine. It refers to the abnormal and elevated levels of calcium that are eliminated through the normal process of urination. This condition occurs when the kidneys are unable to reabsorb calcium efficiently, leading to its excessive excretion in the urine.
Hypercalcinuria can be categorized into two main types: idiopathic hypercalcinuria and secondary hypercalcinuria. Idiopathic hypercalcinuria refers to cases where no underlying medical condition can be identified as the cause of this excessive calcium excretion. On the other hand, secondary hypercalcinuria occurs as a result of an underlying medical condition, such as hyperparathyroidism, renal tubular acidosis, or sarcoidosis.
The excess calcium excretion in hypercalcinuria can lead to the formation of kidney stones, which are small, hard deposits that develop in the urinary tract. Kidney stones can cause severe symptoms such as intense and persistent pain, blood in the urine, frequent urination, and urinary tract infections.
The condition can be diagnosed through urine tests that measure the levels of calcium excretion. Treatment for hypercalcinuria typically involves dietary modifications, such as reducing the intake of calcium-rich foods, increasing fluid intake, and sometimes the use of medications to control calcium excretion.
It is essential for individuals with hypercalcinuria to receive regular medical monitoring as this condition can contribute to the development of kidney stones and potentially lead to more serious kidney complications if left untreated.
The etymology of the word "hypercalcinuria" can be broken down into its root words:
1. Hyper-: This prefix derives from the Greek word "hupér" (ὑπέρ) meaning "over" or "excessive".
2. Calci-: This root comes from the Latin word "calx" meaning "lime" or "calcium".
3. -uria: This suffix is derived from the Greek word "ouron" (οὖρον) meaning "urine".
Therefore, "hypercalcinuria" combines the roots to mean "excessive calcium in the urine".