Magnesium overdose symptoms - Magnesium overdose treatment

Nov 02, 2014 Home   ›   Magnesium deficiency symptoms   ›   Magnesium overdose causes, symptoms and treatment

Magnesium overdose is the presence of excess levels of magnesium in the body. A healthy kidney naturally removes the extra magnesium (Mg) from the body.

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Overdose of this essential mineral rarely occurs among healthy people by way of consuming rich food sources. Magnesium overdose or toxicity with several symptoms occurs when too much of the mineral is ingested in the form of supplements, antacids and laxatives in a short span of time. It occurs because, the intake through the oral or intravenous route exceeds the renal excretory threshold, thereby building up Mg²⁺ ions in the serum.

Causes of magnesium overdose

Magnesium overdose with several symptoms, sometimes fatal, occurs when there is renal insufficiency. In such patients, even foods containing high levels of the mineral can lead to its elevated serum levels. In the event of acute renal failure, unmonitored intake of Mg can sometimes be fatal.

Patients suffering from intestinal hypomotility (constipation) take laxatives containing magnesium. In such patients, persisting intestinal hypomotility without evacuation can cause accumulation of laxatives in the gastrointestinal tract as well as its increased absorption into the body causing several overdose symptoms. Certain systemic diseases and syndromes can also cause elevated Mg levels.

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Kutsal E et al reported a case of magnesium overdose caused in a constipated child. The child had normal renal function. To relieve constipation, she was given magnesium hydroxide cathartic tablets for seven days. The serum Mg levels reached 14.9 mg/dL and the child had symptoms of lethargy and hypotension when referred to a hospital. Immediate hemodialysis provided relief from the hypermagnesemia related symptoms. Eclamptic mother who has undergone magnesium sulfate infusion may cause hypermagnesemia symptoms in the newborn.

Magnesium overdose symptoms

In mild overdose, there may not be any immediate observable clinical symptoms and the condition may stay undetected. Depending upon the elevation of serum magnesium, the symptoms may progress in severity. The first symptoms are gastrointestinal. Elevated serum magnesium, functioning as physiologic calcium channel blocker, leads to abnormalities in electrical conduction and nerve-to-muscle transmission, affecting almost all organ systems. Any impairment to the electrical pathways will have neuromuscular, renal, cardiovascular and respiratory manifestations.

Gastrointestinal manifestations

A mild magnesium overdose causes diarrhea which is due to its laxative effects. The laxative effects are due to osmotic activity of unabsorbed Mg salts in the intestine. The patient may also have symptoms like nausea, lack of appetite and vomiting. The affected patient may have abdominal pain, cramps, distension, stomach pain, increased thirst and bloating.

Neuromuscular dysfunctions

The calcium channel blocking effects cause the malfunction of excitation-contraction coupling of skeletal, smooth, and cardiac muscles. As an effect of magnesium overdose, deep tendon reflexes will appear diminished at serum concentrations of over 2.5 mmol/L and will vanish when levels exceed 5 mmol/L. The impairment of the electrical pathways in skeletal muscles cause neuromuscular symptoms including muscle pain, weakness, fatigue, lethargy, cutaneous flushing, tiredness, joint pain, loss of muscle tone (hypotonia) and hyporeflexia.

Cardiovascular manifestations

The impairment of the electrical pathways in the smooth and cardiac muscles has several manifestations. Vasodilation, a condition of relaxation of smooth muscles within the blood vessel walls, leads to drop in arterial pressure, cardiac output, and peripheral resistance to blood flow. The immediate effect is the drop in blood pressure (hypotension) and bradycardia (low resting heart rate or pulse rate).

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Another effect of impaired electrical conduction and pacemaker signals is cardiac dysrhythmia (arrhythmia or irregular heartbeat). In severe magnesium overdose, heart block, an impairment of electrical system of the heart, may occur with symptoms like lightheadedness, fainting and palpitations. In extreme conditions, the cardiac electrical activity in patient ceases and asystolic death occurs.

Respiratory and cerebral manifestations

The hypotonia causes hypoventilation (respiratory depression) and impaired breathing, which in turn cause cerebral hypoxia (reduced oxygen) or hypoxic encephalopathy. Poor oxygen supply to brain and impaired electrical pathways can cause symptoms such as dizziness, fainting, lightheadedness, drowsiness, confusion, sleepiness, visual disturbances, restlessness, anxiety syndromes, loss of consciousness and brain death. In case of extreme magnesium overdose the patient may even develop coma, respiratory arrest and cardiac arrest.

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Chronic magnesium overdose can place a great deal of stress on the kidneys and cause their malfunction. Elevated serum levels of the mineral interfere with the effects of parathyroid hormone, resulting in hypocalcemia. There are several contraindications with certain medications, which is dealt in the topic on magnesium side effects.

Magnesium overdose treatment

• Stopping intake of supplements, antacids and laxatives containing magnesium may resolve conditions connected with mild to moderate overdose.
• In case of magnesium poisoning stomach evacuation (stomach pumping, gastric irrigation, gastric suction or gastric lavage) can stop further absorption of the mineral from the GI tract.
• Administering intravenous fluids increases the serum volume and brings down the relative level of magnesium immediately and also helps in faster excretory clearance of the element by the kidney.
• In patients with renal insufficiency, immediate haemodialysis is the solution.
• Intravenous calcium gluconate is administered to negate the effect of magnesium on the neuromuscular and cardiac functions and reduce the severity of symptoms.

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References:
1.http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Magnesium-HealthProfessional/

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Current topic on nutritional deficiency diseases: Magnesium overdose and side effects.

Calcium overdose - Too much calcium

Mar 2014   Home › Low blood calcium › Porous bones › Too much calcium and calcium overdose

Calcium is an essential dietary mineral required for many body functions, including the building of skeletal structure.

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Too much calcium intake in the form of supplements, antacids and fortified foods can result in overdose. Natural food sources do not cause overdose conditions. High doses of vitamin D can lead to excess calcium absorption from the intestines.

The gastrointestinal tract normally limits the
calcium absorption. Frequent high dose intravenous administration of the mineral can also result in overdose. Hypercalcemia is one of the several overdose effects. Some of the side effects associated with too much intake are, stomach ache, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, formation of kidney stones, polyuria, giddiness, headache, irregular pulse, hypertension, neuromuscular Dysfunction and coma.

Possible causes of calcium overdose

Accidental or intentional intake of too much of calcium exceeding the upper tolerance levels (over 2,500 milligrams) in the form of supplements, syrups, antacids or fortified foods can cause many serious health problems.
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Use of thiazide diuretics can increase the levels of the mineral in the body. Parathyroid gland disorders and sarcoidosis increase the level of the mineral in the blood.

Supplement overdose

Pediatric supplements in the form of tablets and syrup should be out of reach of children. As they are made palatable by addition of sweeteners and flavoring agents young children may overdose themselves.

Too much of antacids

Frequent and too much use of antacids containing the mineral can lead to high levels of calcium build up in the body and cause milk alkali syndrome.

Too much vitamin D

For efficient absorption of the mineral in the intestine, adequate levels of vitamin D is essential. Too much intake of vitamin D can lead to increased absorption of the mineral.

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Symptoms of calcium overdose

Many of the symptoms of hypercalcemia are seen in cases of too much intake of the mineral. In chronic cases kidney stones may be formed. The normal renal function may get affected and lead to kidney failure. Some of the symptoms are:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat)
• Headache
• Drowsiness
• Confusion
• Depression
• Coma
• Muscle pain
• Bone pain
• Weakness
• Polyuria (frequent urination)

Treatment for calcium overdose

Medical attention must be sought in cases of consumption of too much of the mineral. Treatment starts with stopping of supplements of the mineral and gastric lavage is done. If the supplement has been taken recently, stomach may be emptied to remove the remaining unabsorbed mineral.

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References:
1.Vatanparast, H., D. A. Bailey, A. D. Baxter-Jones and S. J. Whiting. 2010. Calcium requirements for bone growth in Canadian boys and girls during adolescence. British Journal of Nutrition: 1-6.
2.Khosla, S., S. Amin and E. Orwoll. 2008. Osteoporosis in men. Endocrine Reviews 29(4): 441-64.
3.Harwood, R. H., O. Sahota, K. Gaynor, T. Masud and D. J. Hosking. 2004. A randomised, controlled comparison of different calcium and vitamin D supplementation regimens in elderly women after hip fracture: The Nottingham Neck of Femur (NONOF) Study. Age and Ageing 33(1): 45-51.

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Excess zinc side effects - Zinc overdose symptoms

Home › Zinc in nutrition › Zinc excess and overdose

Excess zinc and overdose levels have adverse and serious effects on our health. From food sources, people can rarely reach overdose levels.

However intake of supplements in excess and use of zinc products can be harmful, leading to copper deficiency and resultant neurological damage. As specific minerals may serve different functions in the body, the symptoms of excess or low levels may be numerous.

USDA Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for zinc is 11 mg/day for men and 8 mg/day for women. The recent median intake of this trace mineral from food in United States is approximately 14 mg/day for men and 11 mg/day for women. For an adult, FDA approved Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) of supplements of this trace mineral is 40 mg/day and consumption in excess of this level can pose certain risks.

Effects of zinc overdose

gastrointestinal distress
The immediate acute effects of overdose of this trace mineral are metallic taste in the mouth, headache, epigastric pain, lack of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea and related gastrointestinal distress.
Copper and iron metabolism
Zinc overdose suppresses copper and iron absorption and leads to nutritional deficiency of these trace minerals, anemia and neurological problems.
Overdose of 200-300 mg/day has been found to induce copper deficiency and connected neurological problems.
Prolonged use of its supplements ranging about 150 mg per day, apart from low copper status and decreased iron function, can result in red blood cell microcytosis, a type of anemia characterized by small red blood cells.
Neutropenia, a condition of an abnormally low number of neutrophils (white blood cells) may also result due to excess and overdose of the mineral.
Urinary and genital complications
In a trial on elderly men, an intake at 80 mg/day has shown increased urinary complications and hospitalizations.
Taking excess of this mineral in the form of  supplements may cause its elevated levels in prostate gland and may increase the risk factors of enlarged prostrate gland or prostate cancer.
Zinc and medications
This mineral may interfere with the absorption of antibiotics like ciprofloxacin, enoxacin, ofloxacin, quinolone, trovafloxacin, sparfloxacin, tetracycline, demeclocycline and minocycline.
There is interaction in the gastrointestinal tract when both the mineral and antibiotic are taken together. and the absorption of both antibiotic and the mineral is inhibited. Differing the intake time of the supplement by at least 2-4 hours before or after the intake of antibiotic may solve the problem.
Similarly its overdose interferes with the absorption of rheumatoid arthritis drug, penicillamine, and spacing the intake time by at least two hours helps in the absorption of both.

Suppression of immune response, loss of smell sense, decrease in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and renal failure are some of the adverse effects of chronic overdose with its supplements.

Channels to excess zinc levels

• Taking its supplements in excess of the recommended dosage,
• eating or drinking acidic food from zinc containers or containers galvanized with this metal,
• swallowing things made of its metallic form,
• inhaling freshly formed zinc oxide fumes,
• ingestion through overuse of denture adhesive creams,
• nasal sprays containing this trace mineral,
• Frequent use of cold lozenges containing the trace mineral,
• accidental consumption of topical products containing zinc, 
• drinking well-water contaminated by zinc fertilizers,
• accumulation in patients with acute renal failure,
• haemochromatosis patients may accumulate excess zinc levels,

Consuming zinc in excess of one gram may prove to be fatal.

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Current Nutrition Deficiency and Diseases' topic : Zinc overdose - Excess zinc

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Selenium Side effects - Selenium overdose - Too much selenium

Home › Nutritional deficiency › Too much Selenium - side effects - overdose

Exceeding the upper tolerable levels of selenium is fraught with many overdose side effects.

While it is being advised to take adequate levels of the essential trace mineral selenium either through food or through supplements, there is a lurking danger of overdose and side effects by taking too much of it.

In fact the adult requirement is only 50-60 mcg. However the tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) is also low and there is a possibility of excess intake

Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) of selenium and its overdose

When blood levels of this essential trace mineral exceed 100 μg (mcg or micrograms per one deciliter (dL) of blood, selenosis, an excess of the mineral condition with many side effects is caused. Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) has been set by The Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences, for preventing the risks of selenosis, at 400 micro-grams per day for adults.

Tolerable Upper Intake Levels for Infants, Children, and Adults.

Age	Males and Females (μg/day)
0 - 6 months	45
7 - 12 months	60
1-3 years	90
4-8 years	150
9-13 years	280
14-18 years	400
19 years +	400

Selenium intake at levels above the UL carry very high risk of overdose and the resultant side effects.

Causes of selenium overdose

Normally we get sufficient of this mineral from our diet. The situation of excess can occur in the following circumstances.

Excess presence in soil and food.
Soils in different regions of the world contain varying levels of selenium.
Foods grown in very high selenium bearing soils have too much of it and cause selenosis.
A typical example is the case in China where people suffered selenosis when they consumed corn grown on carbonaceous shale which was extremely rich in selenium (as much much as 9%).

Self medication and excess and unregulated use of supplements
Use of selenium supplements without proper analysis of the requirement can lead to excess consumption and overdose. Frequent use of Brazil nuts and other foods very rich in the mineral can lead too much accumulation of it in the body causing the health problems.

Selenium side effects on consuming too much of it

Side effects of consumption of too much of this mineral include garlic odor in breath, lung problems, breathlessness gastrointestinal irritation, stomach upsets, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, fatigue, muscle cramps, restlessness, listlessness, dementia, behavioral problems, metallic taste in the mouth, hair loss, skin inflammation, tooth decay, and fingernail discoloration.

Other problems on too much of this mineral are damage to nervous system, impairment of liver, impairment of kidney, thyroid malfunction, jaundice, dermatitis, birth defects, and stunting of growth. In extreme cases fever and damage to lung and heart occur and may result in mortality.

Relief, treatment and cure from selenium side effects

Treating selenosis starts with removing the causative factor. The patient is made to drink sufficient water to flush out the excess reducing the problems. There is no antidote for this mineral. In severe overdose cases hospitalization is necessary for the convalescence of the patient and for the treatment.

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Vitamin C toxicity - Impact on health and problems

Home > Vitamin C toxicity

Vitamin C toxicity is possible and overdose can cause health problems like upset stomach and diarrhea.

It is feared that very large overdose of vitamin C can cause many possible toxicity problems on the gastrointestinal,secretory, immunity and reproductive systems.

In experiments overdoses of ascorbic acid have been found to cause vomiting, nausea, face and skin flushing, headache, migraine, fatigue, diarrhea, dizziness and sleep disturbances.

Large doses can cause indigestion, gastritis, heartburn and poor absorption.

Large quantities of supplements can cause greater absorption of iron in the body, leading to its toxicity.

There is a possibility of developing kidney stones with oxalate deposits on use of high quantities of ascorbic acid.

Excess quantity of vitamin C can acidify urine and increase uric acid in the urine.

Excess ascorbic acid may interfere with the pro oxidant-antioxidant balance in the human body and reversely lead to decrease in immunity.

In children severe skin rashes and abdominal cramps have been observed on high ascorbic acid ingestion.

Chronic chewing of tablets of ascorbic acid can lead to dental erosion.

Infants of mothers who were taking extra vitamin c during pregnancy may sometime develop scurvy.

There is increase in the possibility of preterm birth with increased intake of these supplements in pregnant women.

Overdose of ascorbic acid has been suspected to suppress progesterone production and cause early miscarriages in experiments on rats.

Hence safety of excess of these supplements in pregnant women is under scrutiny.

Excess consumption has been found to decrease the mitochondrial production and reduce endurance capacity.

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Persons who are on high levels of these supplements on withdrawal develop symptoms of scurvy. They must be advised to reduce the dose gradually.

Some persons are allergic to vitamin C supplements and overdose of vitamin C in them can cause alarming reactions.

Hence it is advised not to consume vitamin C above the upper tolerance level of 2000 mg/day and avoid toxicity.

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Very high doses of vitamin C and toxicity.

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Vitamin C overdose - Excess vitamin C

Home > Excess vitamin C- overdose

The value to decide whether it is excess or overdose of vitamin C is highly notional and very relative.

A person's age, gender, health condition, food habits, surroundings and many other factors decide whether the given quantity is excess overdose for him.
 To determine a quantity as excess of vitamin C is a controversial matter.
Though national health institutions of many countries have prescribed RDA (Recommended Dietary Allowance) of ascorbic acid, it is being disputed by many research institutions.
The level may be sufficient for staving off scurvy and developing deficiency symptoms.
But to fully reap the benefits of ascorbic acid much higher intake is required.

Given below are some of the RDA values for comparison.

UK Food Standards Agency	75 mg/day
Health Canada	60 mg/day
World Health Organisation	45mg/day
US National Academy of Sciences	60-90 mg/day

The US Upper tolerable intake level for 25 years old person is 2000 mg/day.

Goat can synthesise ascorbic acid (enlarge) Most of the animals like dogs, cats and goats produce their requirement of vitamin C in their body.

Their production has been quantified in many studies.

When we arrive at a value corresponding to a man weighing 150 pounds it works out to be between 2-3 grams/day.

Excess overdose of ascorbic acid is excreted in urine.

Persons who are ill, old and under stress retain more of it.

The efficiency of ascorbic acid in increasing the immunity and fighting diseases is a proven one and it is most effective when taken at a dose close to the bowel tolerance level.

Hence levels beyond that may be considered as vitamin C overdose.

However this very value of excess could be anywhere between 4-15 gms per day.

The Nobel Laureate Dr.Linus Pauling, an advocate of high doses of it for good health was himself consuming 18 grams of ascorbic acid per day and he lived to be over 90 years.

However excess of vitamin C is not without any problems.
Stomach ache, flatulence and diarrhea are some of the problems noted with overdose of vitamin C.

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Current topic:
Effects of excess and overdose of vitamin C.

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