Calcification - Treatments - Better Medicine

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.

What are the potential complications of calcification?

Complications of calcification can be serious, particularly when calcification affects the arteries or is present within a cancer. You can help minimize your risk of serious complications by following the treatment plan you and your health care professional design specifically for you. Complications of calcification include:

Deformity
Myocardial infarction (heart attack)
Peripheral artery disease
Spread of cancer
Stroke

References:

Calcification. MedlinePlus, a service of the National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002321.htm. Accessed May 17, 2011.

Mammogram - calcifications. MedlinePlus, a service of the National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002113.htm. Accessed May 17, 2011.

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

CAUSES

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.... Read more about calcification causes