Pronunciation: [tˈɛtəni] (IPA) 
The spelling of the word "tetany" can be tricky due to its unusual pronunciation. In IPA phonetic transcription, it is spelled as /ˈtɛtəni/. The first syllable is pronounced as "tet" with a short "e" sound, followed by the letter "a" pronounced as "uh". The last syllable rhymes with "knee". Tetany is a medical condition characterized by muscle spasms and hyperexcitability due to a decrease in blood calcium levels.
Tetany is a medical condition characterized by a series of involuntary muscle contractions or spasms caused by low levels of calcium in the blood, resulting in muscle stiffness and twitching. It is typically a result of abnormal ion concentrations, especially low levels of calcium (hypocalcemia), or disturbances in the balance of other minerals such as magnesium and potassium.
The characteristic symptoms of tetany may include muscle cramps, tremors, tingling or numbness in the extremities, muscle spasms in the hands, feet, face, or throat, and muscle weakness. In severe cases, tetany can lead to spasms of the larynx, causing difficulty in breathing or speaking.
Tetany can be caused by various underlying factors, including disorders affecting the parathyroid glands, such as hypoparathyroidism (underactive parathyroid glands) or parathyroid gland removal during thyroid surgery. Additionally, deficiencies in vital minerals like calcium, magnesium, or vitamin D can contribute to the development of tetany. Certain medications, such as diuretics or other medications that affect mineral balance, may also increase the risk of tetany.
Treatment for tetany usually involves the administration of intravenous calcium to rapidly restore normal calcium levels in the blood. Addressing the underlying cause, such as correcting mineral imbalances, is also crucial. In some cases, supplements or medications may be prescribed to prevent further complications and manage the condition effectively.
Proper diagnosis and prompt treatment are essential to prevent serious complications that tetany can cause, such as seizures, cardiac arrhythmias, or even respiratory arrest.
A disorder marked by intermittent tonic muscular contractions, accompanied by fibrillary tumors, paresthesias, and muscular pains; the hands are usually first affected, the spasms occurring later in the face trunk, and sometimes the laryngeal muscles; there is increased irritability of the motor and sensory nerves to electrical and mechanical stimuli; the disorder occurs with gastric and intestinal troubles, after exhausting diseases, and as a consequence of removal of the parathyroids.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "tetany" comes from the Greek word "tetanos", which means "spasm" or "stiffness". It is derived from the verb "teino", which means "to stretch" or "to tighten". The term was first used in the medical field in the early 19th century to describe a condition characterized by muscle spasms and involuntary contractions.
