The following organisations have adopted this day every year to raise awareness of hypoparathyroidism:
Hypoparathyroidism Association Inc
The HPTH Association of Bahrain
InSeNSU Germany
What is hypoparathyroidism?
Hypoparathyroidism is a rare medical disorder that affects approximately 4 out of 15,000 people worldwide.
Decreased function of the parathyroid glands, in the neck, results in underproduction of parathyroid hormone which can lead to low levels of calcium and phosphorus in the blood.
What are the symptoms of hypoparathyroidism?
- tiredness
- hair loss
- brittle nails
- dry skin
- weakened tooth enamel/poor tooth development (in children)
- muscle aches or cramps
- tingling, burning, or numbness in the fingertips, toes, and lips
- muscle spasms
- anxiety or depression
- painful periods
- seizures
- headaches
- vomiting
How is hypoparathyroidism treated?
If you think you are suffering from hypoparathyroidism, it is important to see your medical practitioner. He will do tests, including blood tests, to determine the levels of calcium in your system. Treatment involves taking tablet supplements of calcium carbonate and vitamin D.
Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium and eliminate phosphorus.
Your diet should be closely monitored. It is recommended that it should be rich in calcium and foods such as dairy products, prunes, beans and oats and low in phosphorus-rich foods, such as red meat, eggs, alcohol and white bread and pasta.
It is also important to drink plenty of water.
Hypoparathyroidism can be kept under control with proper long-term treatment. Changes to diet and the taking of supplements are likely to be life-long.
You can get much more information about hypoparathyroidism on Hypopara UK’s website.
How can Grayson’s help?
The most common cause of hypoparathyroidism is injury to the parathyroid glands, for example, during head and neck surgery.
Petra Heath
Hypoparathyroidism is often misdiagnosed, resulting in a delay in treatment which can often lead to significant harm. Seizures may develop as a result of low levels of calcium and epilepsy can be misdiagnosed – but if the correct diagnosis is made in the first place, the seizures could be prevented by calcium treatment. Other complications can include difficulties breathing due to severe muscle spasms, stunted growth, malformed teeth, development of cataracts, calcium deposits in the brain, cognitive impairment and chronic depression.
This may leave you unable to work or live independently which can put severe strain on the financial, psychological and physical health of the whole family.
Our clinical negligence team are experts in conducting high value compensation claims, and, with the involvement of the specialist therapists required, we will help you to secure a settlement that will provide for both financial security and a care package that will ensure that all of your care needs will be met for life, which will improve your and your loved ones’ quality of life.
If you would like to talk to a member of our specialist team then please contact us for a confidential and free discussion today.
You can find out more about claiming compensation for medical negligence on our web pages.
Petra Heath, medical negligence solicitor.
