Milk-alkali syndrome

Milk-alkali syndrome
Classification and external resources
ICD-9-CM	275.42
DiseasesDB	8215
MedlinePlus	000332
eMedicine	article/123324
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In medicine, milk-alkali syndrome is characterized by high blood calcium caused by taking in too much calcium and absorbable alkali; common sources of calcium and alkali are dietary supplements taken to prevent osteoporosis and antacids. If untreated, milk-alkali syndrome may lead to kidney failure or death.

It was most common in the early 20th century, but since the 1990s, there has been an increase in the number of cases reported, linked to the increased use of calcium supplements to address or prevent osteoporosis.

The most common symptoms are poor appetite, dizziness, headache, confusion, psychosis, and dry mouth; laboratory tests may show that a person with milk-alkali syndrome has high blood calcium, kidney failure, and metabolic alkalosis.

Milk-alkali syndrome is caused by taking too much calcium (usually in the form of dietary supplements taken to prevent osteoporosis) and absorbable alkali (as are found in antacid drugs).

The mechanism by which ingesting too much calcium and alkali leads to milk-alkali syndrome is unclear, since the human body tightly regulates levels of calcium. Impaired kidney function is a risk factor but even people with healthy kidneys can develop the syndrome.

Treatment involves having the person stop taking any calcium supplements and any other alkali agents they have been taking, and hydration.

In severe cases, hospitalization may be required, in which case saline may be administered intravenously.

If kidney failure is advanced then treatment for that is required, namely chronic dialysis.

In mild cases, full recovery is expected. In severe cases, permanent kidney failure or death may result.

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Wikipedia