What are the symptoms of magnesium deficiency
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Symptoms of Magnesium Deficiency
Magnesium deficiency, also known as hypomagnesemia, can present a wide array of symptoms that affect various bodily systems. These symptoms can be broadly categorized into neuromuscular, psychiatric, cardiovascular, and metabolic manifestations.
Neuromuscular Symptoms
One of the most common categories of symptoms associated with magnesium deficiency is neuromuscular hyperactivity. This can include tremors, myoclonic jerks, convulsions, and spontaneous carpopedal spasms. Other neuromuscular symptoms may include ataxia, nystagmus, and dysphagia1. Weakness and stupor are also frequently reported, and in severe cases, patients may experience coma4.
Psychiatric Symptoms
Magnesium deficiency can also lead to a range of psychiatric disturbances. These can vary from mild symptoms such as apathy and irritability to more severe conditions like delirium and psychosis. Depression and anxiety are also commonly associated with low magnesium levels2 3. In some cases, these psychiatric symptoms can be misattributed to other underlying conditions, making diagnosis challenging2.
Cardiovascular Symptoms
Cardiac arrhythmias are a significant concern in patients with magnesium deficiency. These can range from minor irregularities to severe conditions like ventricular fibrillation, which can be life-threatening1 4. Magnesium deficiency is particularly common in patients with congestive heart failure and those undergoing diuretic treatment, which can exacerbate the loss of magnesium4.
Metabolic Symptoms
Magnesium plays a crucial role in various metabolic processes, and its deficiency can lead to metabolic disturbances such as hypocalcemia and hypokalemia. These conditions are often resistant to treatment unless magnesium levels are corrected1 8. Additionally, chronic magnesium deficiency can contribute to the development of conditions like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and metabolic syndrome3.
Symptoms in Specific Populations
Elderly
In the elderly, mild magnesium deficiency often goes unnoticed due to its nonspecific symptoms, which can include asthenia, sleep disorders, and cognitive impairments. These symptoms are frequently mistaken for age-related issues3.
Alcoholics
Chronic alcoholism is a significant risk factor for magnesium deficiency. Symptoms in alcoholic patients can include hypomagnesemia, hypocalcemia, and respiratory alkalosis, particularly during alcohol withdrawal6.
Post-Infectious Conditions
Children recovering from infectious diseases, including COVID-19, may exhibit symptoms of magnesium deficiency such as excessive fatigue, headache, muscle weakness, and sleep disturbances. These symptoms can persist for months after the initial infection7.
Conclusion
Magnesium deficiency manifests through a diverse range of symptoms affecting neuromuscular, psychiatric, cardiovascular, and metabolic systems. The nonspecific nature of these symptoms often complicates diagnosis, making it essential to consider magnesium levels in patients presenting with these clinical signs. Addressing magnesium deficiency through dietary intake or supplementation can significantly improve these symptoms and overall health outcomes.
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Most relevant research papers on this topic
Magnesium deficiency. Etiology and clinical spectrum.
Magnesium deficiency can cause various symptoms and complications, and its treatment requires careful monitoring and dose adjustment for patients with renal insufficiency.
Highly CitedDepression and Magnesium Deficiency
Magnesium deficiency can cause psychiatric symptoms ranging from apathy to psychosis, and should be diagnosed and treated accordingly.
Magnesium in Aging, Health and Diseases
Maintaining an optimal magnesium balance throughout life may help prevent oxidative stress and chronic conditions associated with aging.
Very Rigorous JournalHighly CitedMagnesium deficiency and cardiac disorders.
Magnesium deficiency can cause serious cardiac arrhythmias and should be treated with magnesium sulfate therapy.
Case ReportHighly CitedEXPERIMENTAL PRODUCTION OF MAGNESIUM DEFICIENCY IN MAN *
Inducing magnesium deficiency experimentally in stable, uncomplicated subjects can provide more definitive information on its effects and symptomatology.
Magnesium deficiency in alcoholism.
Magnesium deficiency is common in chronic alcoholism, with symptoms and potential for acute symptoms when alcohol is withdrawn.
Magnesium’s role in a healthy person’s body, in the course and rehabilitation after infectious respiratory pathology and COVID-19 (literature information, own data)
COVID-19 may cause magnesium deficiency in children, leading to the development of post-COVID-19 symptoms like excessive fatigue, headaches, muscle weakness, impaired sleep, and appetite.
Magnesium deficiency: pathophysiologic and clinical overview.
Magnesium deficiency can result from various causes, including gastrointestinal disorders, renal conditions, and therapeutic agents, and can cause various clinical presentations.
Highly CitedNormalization of magnesium deficiency attenuated mechanical allodynia, depressive-like behaviors, and memory deficits associated with cyclophosphamide-induced cystitis by inhibiting TNF-α/NF-κB signaling in female rats
L-TAMS supplementation can reduce mechanical allodynia, depressive-like behaviors, and memory deficits in cyclophosphamide-induced cystitis by inhibiting TNF-/NF-B signaling.
Non-RCT
Animal Study
Rigorous Journal