Calcification on the Brain
Too Much Calcium?
Calcifications on the brain have many names, calcinosis and Fahr’s Syndrome for instance. But the cause remains the same for all of them. They are a result of too much calcium depositing and accumulating in the soft tissue of the brain. Calcifications can happen all over the body.
For some, like martial artists, calcifications are a good thing. They actually grow them on their knuckles by punching hard surfaces, to harden their fists. For the rest of us, however, we want calcifications to stay well away, especially from our humain brains!
Symptoms
In cases where calcium has built up in the brain, people show various brain dysfunctions.
- Loss or partial loss of motor control.
- Involuntary movement, tremors, writhing.
- Stiffness or rigidity.
- Dementia, mental retardation.
- Mask-like facial appearance.
- Vision problems.
- Seizures.
Causes
There are two classifications of calcification on the brain. Metastatic Calcification and Dystrophic Calcification. The former is when calcification is caused by too much calcium or phosphorus in the blood. The latter deals with calcification as a result of inflammation or damage to the site. Usually, this happens to the skin but in the brain, this might occur after surgery or some other invasive therapy.
Treatments
Treatments for brain calcifications include reconciling the underlying excess calcium and phosphorus in the body, treatments to alleviate symptoms, and if necessary surgical removal of the actual offending calcium deposits.
Make sure to check with your doctor to see if any change in your diet is required to bring levels down. Antacids might be prescribed to remedy calcium levels. Calcium blockers such as ‘warfarin’ are also sometimes prescribed but have side effects. Dietary changes may be ordered as well to allow more intake of less acid, and more alkaline foods.
Research is being conducted to see if certain ‘Bone Drugs’ have any effect on calcium and phosphorus levels in the blood and if they can dissolve deposits away.