What Is Tetany?

 

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Tetany has the ability to throw people who aren't feeling well — and sometimes their doctors — for a loop.
Tetany is characterised by excessively stimulated neuromuscular activity.


Tetany is an involuntary muscle cramp or spasm caused by abnormal electrolyte changes in the body (especially calcium).
It can range from mild arm or leg cramping to dangerous changes in heart muscle function.


Tetany is not the same as tetanus, which is a bacterial infection caused by contaminated cuts that causes dangerous full-body nerve stimulation.


Tetany is one of the symptoms.
It, like many other symptoms, can be caused by a variety of conditions.
This means that it can be difficult to determine what is causing this symptom. 

While there are effective treatments available, preventing it often depends on determining what caused it in the first place.

How does tetany appear?


Tetany is characterised by involuntary muscle cramps and contractions, most commonly in the hands and feet.
However, these spasms can spread throughout the body, including into the larynx, or voice box, causing breathing difficulties. 

Severe episodes can result in:

• vomiting

• convulsions

• serious pain

• seizures

• heart dysfunction

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Trusted Source may be a sign of early tetany caused by a calcium deficiency.
This is a wrist and thumb spasm that can occur when a blood pressure cuff is placed on the arm.
It can be subtle, but it can also be obvious. 

What causes tetany?

Tetany is a condition characterised by abnormal muscle stimulation.
It could be due to an electrolyte imbalance.
The most common cause is a dangerously low calcium level, also known as hypocalcemia.


Tetany can also be caused by a lack of magnesium or potassium.
Tetany can also be caused by an excess of acid (acidosis) or alkali (alkalosis) in the body.
A variety of medical conditions and medications can result in mild to severe electrolyte imbalances.


Hypoparathyroidism, for example, is a condition in which the body does not produce enough parathyroid hormone.
This can result in significantly lower calcium levels, which can cause tetany.

 Calcium levels in the body can be affected by kidney failure or pancreas problems.
Low blood protein levels, septic shock, and some blood transfusions can all have a negative impact on blood calcium levels.
Tetany can also be caused by toxins. 

How is tetany treated?

Tetany can occur when a person has a known risk factor, such as parathyroid disease.
It can, however, be a symptom of conditions such as kidney failure, and blood tests can usually quickly identify the specific electrolyte abnormalities.


Treatment goals in the short term are to correct the imbalance.
This could include taking calcium or magnesium supplements, for example.
The most common method is to inject calcium directly into the bloodstream.


For people who are at risk, taking calcium orally (along with vitamin D for absorption) may be necessary to prevent it from recurring.

Once a doctor has determined what was causing the tetany, he or she may consider therapy for the underlying cause.
For example, if a parathyroid tumour is the source of the problem, it can be surgically removed.


In some cases, such as kidney failure, dialysis may be required to treat the condition that caused the tetany.