The parathyroids are four pea-sized glands situated behind the thyroid gland. When a parathyroid malfunctions, the hormone it secretes wreaks havoc with vital elements in the body.
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Identification
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The disease caused by high levels of parathyroid hormone is referred to as hyperparathyroidism. The parathyroid glands regulate proper calcium and phosphorus amounts in the blood and bones.
Significance
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Occasionally, either a growth on a gland or a medical condition, like rickets or kidney failure, encourages the release of excessive amounts of hormone. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians this release pulls calcium away from bones, resulting in excessive calcium levels in the bloodstream and forcing the kidneys to work harder to cleanse calcium from the body.
Cause
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A ballooning, benign tumor is the most common cause of hyperparathyroisism. "This enlargement of one parathyroid gland is called a parathyroid adenoma which accounts for about 94 percent of all patients with primary hyperparathyroidism," according to Dr. James Norman of the Norman Parathyroid Clinic in Tampa, Florida.
Effects
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Symptoms of hyperparathyroidism include fatigue, weakness, nausea and vomiting, kidney stones, confusion, poor memory, stomach pain, constipation, bone fractures or breaks due to loss of calcium and heartburn (the result of excess calcium in the stomach produces acid).
Considerations
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Those who fail to consume enough vitamin D increase the likelihood of developing hyperparathyroidism. The condition may also be hereditary in some cases and is more common in those over 65 years of age.
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