Tetany (Gr. Tetanos - elongated)

Tetany (from the Greek "Tetanos" - elongated) is a syndrome that manifests itself in the form of muscle twitching, spasms and cramps. It occurs due to insufficient function of the parathyroid glands.

The parathyroid glands are located in the neck and are responsible for producing hormones that regulate the levels of calcium and phosphate in the blood. If the parathyroid glands do not work properly, the level of calcium in the blood may decrease, which leads to various disorders in the body, including tetany.

Symptoms of tetany may include muscle cramps, which can be painful and lasting, and muscle twitching. These symptoms can appear in individual muscles or in several muscle groups at the same time. There may also be difficulty breathing and swallowing, cardiac arrhythmias, arthritic joint pain, increased irritability, and insomnia.

To diagnose tetany, it is necessary to conduct a blood test for calcium and parathyroid hormone levels. If calcium levels are low and parathyroid hormone is high, this may indicate the presence of tetany.

Treatment of tetany is aimed at eliminating its cause. If the cause of tetany is insufficient function of the parathyroid glands, then treatment will consist of the use of drugs that contain calcium and vitamin D, as well as the administration of parathyroid hormone. In some cases, surgery may be required to remove part or all of the parathyroid gland.

In general, tetany is a serious disease that can lead to various disorders in the body. Therefore, if such symptoms appear, it is necessary to consult a doctor and carry out a diagnosis. Early detection and treatment of tetany will help avoid possible complications in the future.