Orthopedic Experts Remind: These 7 Signals Indicate Your Calcium Is Depleting!

As people age, middle-aged and elderly individuals commonly face the issue of calcium loss. Calcium deficiency not only affects bone health but may also trigger a series of physical discomforts. Understanding the manifestations of calcium deficiency in middle-aged and elderly individuals helps us identify problems promptly and take appropriate measures. Today, Dr. Sun Haolin, Chief Physician at Peking University First Hospital reminds you to pay attention to the seven major signs of calcium deficiency in middle-aged and elderly individuals.

First Major Sign: Frequent Fatigue and Lethargy

If middle-aged and elderly individuals often feel fatigued and lethargic, it may be one of the signs of calcium deficiency. Calcium is an essential mineral for maintaining normal muscle contraction and relaxation. Calcium deficiency can lead to decreased muscle function, thereby causing fatigue. Long-term calcium deficiency in middle-aged and elderly individuals not only results in muscle weakness but may also affect their quality of daily life.

Second Major Sign: Lower Back Pain

Calcium deficiency leads to decreased bone density, making bones fragile and prone to fractures or deformities. Particularly when osteoporosis affects the lumbar vertebrae, they become unable to bear body weight, leading to vertebral compression fractures and resulting in persistent, unrelieved lower back pain. In such cases, there is often significant provoked pain upon pressure or percussion.

Third Major Sign: Loose Teeth

Teeth are the hardest part of the human body, primarily composed of the mineral calcium. Calcium deficiency affects dental health. Long-term calcium deficiency in middle-aged and elderly individuals can lead to alveolar bone resorption, resulting in loose teeth or increased susceptibility to tooth loss. A 2021 study published in the *JDR* showed that for every 1 SD (standard deviation) decrease in jawbone density, the risk of tooth loss increases by 26%.

Fourth Major Sign: Noticeable Hunchback

Middle-aged and elderly individuals are prone to osteoporosis due to calcium deficiency. In daily life, minor unintentional forces, such as coughing, sneezing, or stretching during work, can easily lead to spinal compression fractures. When a wedge compression fracture occurs in the spine (where the anterior part of the vertebra is noticeably flattened), the body often manifests as a hunchback.

Fifth Major Sign: Loss of Height

Similar to the second and fourth major signs, this is caused by osteoporosis due to calcium deficiency, leading to spinal compression fractures. When multiple vertebrae are flattened both anteriorly and posteriorly due to fractures, a person will noticeably become shorter. If an elderly person loses more than 2 centimeters in height per year, timely medical consultation is necessary.

These three points require particular attention, especially in women. After entering menopause, declining estrogen levels gradually diminish their protective effect on bones, making women more prone to lower back pain, hunchback, and loss of height.

Sixth Major Sign: Loss of Appetite and Indigestion

In cases of severe hypocalcemia (blood calcium < 2.0 mmol/L), the rhythmic contraction of intestinal smooth muscles may be affected, leading to bloating and constipation. Calcium deficiency often coexists with vitamin D deficiency, and vitamin D deficiency can cause muscle weakness and fatigue, indirectly affecting the desire to eat.

If middle-aged and elderly individuals simultaneously experience loss of appetite, bone pain, and susceptibility to fractures, secondary calcium metabolism disorders such as parathyroid dysfunction or chronic kidney disease should be investigated.

Seventh Major Sign: Susceptibility to Muscle Cramps

In cases of severe calcium deficiency (blood calcium < 2.0 mmol/L), increased neuromuscular excitability may trigger spasms, often accompanied by symptoms such as numbness in the hands and feet and arrhythmia. Nocturnal leg cramps are common in the elderly and pregnant women, possibly related to muscle fatigue and poor blood circulation. A 2019 study published in the *BMJ* indicated that approximately 12% of muscle cramp cases are associated with hypocalcemia.

Wishing You Good Health

If you experience any one or more of the above seven major signs, it should be taken seriously. It is recommended to seek medical attention promptly to investigate whether calcium deficiency or osteoporosis is present.

In daily life, we should also pay attention to a balanced diet and increase calcium intake, such as consuming more calcium-rich foods like milk, tofu, and kelp. Additionally, moderate exercise and adequate sun exposure also help promote calcium absorption and utilization.