Magnesium Deficiency

Magnesium deficiency can be mild or severe and can affect anyone at any age, and it can cause serious complications in some cases.

Magnesium deficiency

Magnesium deficiency occurs when the levels of magnesium in the body are lower than normal. Magnesium is an essential mineral in the body that affects cellular function and nerve conduction, it is necessary for the function of the heart, brain, and muscles, and it affects the balance of other electrolytes in the body, including calcium, potassium, and sodium.

Causes of magnesium deficiency

Three organs are responsible for maintaining normal magnesium levels, which are the bones (the main storage system for magnesium), the small and large intestines (they absorb the magnesium from the food), and the kidneys (they are responsible for the excretion of the magnesium). Causes of low magnesium levels include:

• Not having enough magnesium from food.
• Malnutrition.
• Malabsorption syndrome (like in inflammatory bowel disease and celiac disease).
• Gastric bypass surgery.
• Uncontrolled diabetes.
• Alcohol use disorder.
• Chronic diarrhea.
• Excessive urination or sweating.
• Burns that affect large areas in the body.
• Pancreatitis.
• Kidney tubular disorder.
• Increased aldosterone in the blood.
• Certain medicines, such as proton pump inhibitors, diuretics, chemotherapy drugs (like cisplatin), aminoglycoside antibiotics (like gentamicin), and others.

Symptoms of magnesium deficiency

• Symptoms of mild magnesium deficiency: muscle spasms, extreme tiredness, weakness, numbness, tremors, and nystagmus (abnormal eye movements).
• Symptoms of severe magnesium deficiency: seizures, arrhythmia, and delirium.
• Symptoms of magnesium deficiency in children: irritability, hyperactivity, trouble sleeping, anxiety about school and other things, muscle spasms, and loss of appetite.
• It has been noticed in some studies that adults and children with ADHD have low levels of magnesium.
• Hypomagnesemia can lead to cardiac arrest, respiratory arrest, and death.

Diagnosis of magnesium deficiency

• Physical exam.
• Asking about the symptoms.
• Blood and urine tests.
• Electrocardiogram (ECG).

Treatment of magnesium deficiency

• Treating low magnesium levels depends on the severity of the case, and the treatments include oral magnesium or IV magnesium.