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hypocalcemia (hi″po-kal-se´me-ә)   diminished levels of calcium in the blood, manifested chiefly by increased neuromuscular irritability. When there is a deficit of ionized calcium, the neurons become more permeable, so that sodium and potassium can leak out of them. This produces excitation of the nerve fibers and triggers uncontrollable activity of the skeletal muscles. Hence, as the calcium level continues to drop, the patient begins to experience muscle twitching and cramping, grimacing, and carpopedal spasms, which can quickly progress to tetany, laryngospasm, convulsions, cardiac arrhythmias, and eventually to respiratory failure and cardiac arrest.




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