Calcification - Causes - Better Medicine

What causes calcification?

Calcifications can be caused by inflammation or elevated levels of blood calcium, known as hypercalcemia. Calcification can be part of a normal healing response to musculoskeletal injuries. Calcifications are often found in arteries affected by arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), in benign and malignant breast processes, at sites of bone or cartilage injury, and sometimes within cancers.

What are the risk factors for abnormal calcification?

Several factors increase the risk of developing abnormal calcification. Not all people with risk factors will get calcification. Risk factors for calcification include:

Alcoholism
Autoimmune disorders
Genetic history of a calcium metabolism disorder
Internal tissue injuries that cause inflammatory reactions

INTRODUCTION

What is calcification?

Calcification is a gradual accumulation of calcium in an area of your body tissue. Most of the calcium absorbed by your body ends up in your bones and teeth, where it is most needed. Excess calcium is usually dissolved in the bloodstream for excretion in the urine, but it is normal for a certain amount to collect in an area of the body tissues; this collection of calcium then hardens the t... Read more about calcification introduction

SYMPTOMS

What are the symptoms of calcification?

Calcification often produces no symptoms. Instead, calcification is most frequently discovered on X-rays, including mammograms, for example. Some calcification is normal, but even disease-related calcification may not cause symptoms that you will detect.... Read more about calcification symptoms

TREATMENTS

How is calcification treated?

Calcification is not treatable and cannot be reversed. However, disorders that are complications of or associated with calcification are often very treatable. Treatment strategies, of course, will depend on the calcium metabolism disorder itself.... Read more about calcification treatments