(See also Overview of Electrolytes Overview of Electrolytes Well over half of the body's weight is made up of water. Doctors think about the body's water as being restricted to various spaces, called fluid compartments. The three main compartments are... read more and Overview of Magnesium's Role in the Body Overview of Magnesium's Role in the Body Magnesium is one of the body's electrolytes, which are minerals that carry an electric charge when dissolved in body fluids such as blood, but the majority of magnesium in the body is uncharged... read more .)
Magnesium is one of the body's electrolytes Overview of Electrolytes Well over half of the body's weight is made up of water. Doctors think about the body's water as being restricted to various spaces, called fluid compartments. The three main compartments are... read more , which are minerals Overview of Minerals Minerals are necessary for the normal functioning of the body’s cells. The body needs relatively large quantities of Calcium Chloride Magnesium Phosphate read more that carry an electric charge when dissolved in body fluids such as blood, but the majority of magnesium in the body is uncharged and bound to proteins or stored in bone. Bone contains most of the magnesium Overview of Magnesium's Role in the Body Magnesium is one of the body's electrolytes, which are minerals that carry an electric charge when dissolved in body fluids such as blood, but the majority of magnesium in the body is uncharged... read more in the body. Very little magnesium circulates in the blood.
Hypermagnesemia is uncommon. It usually develops only when people with kidney failure Overview of Kidney Failure Kidney failure is the inability of the kidneys to adequately filter metabolic waste products from the blood. Kidney failure has many possible causes. Some lead to a rapid decline in kidney function... read more are given magnesium (Epsom) salts or take drugs that contain magnesium (such as some antacids or laxatives).
Hypermagnesemia may cause
Muscle weakness
Low blood pressure
Impaired breathing
When hypermagnesemia is severe, the heart can stop beating.
The diagnosis is based on blood tests indicating that the magnesium level is high.
Treatment of Hypermagnesemia
Calcium gluconate
Diuretics
People with severe hypermagnesemia are given calcium gluconate by vein (intravenously) to block the toxic effect of increased levels of magnesium.
Diuretics, drugs that cause the kidneys to excrete excess fluid (particularly if given intravenously), can be given to increase the kidneys’ excretion of magnesium. However, if the kidneys are not functioning well or if hypermagnesemia is severe, dialysis Dialysis Dialysis is an artificial process for removing waste products and excess fluids from the body, a process that is needed when the kidneys are not functioning properly. There are a number of reasons... read more 
is usually needed.
Drugs Mentioned In This Article
| Generic Name | Select Brand Names |
|---|---|
calcium gluconate |
No brand name available |
