19. Increased Calcium In Blood (Hypercalcemia)
Our bones and teeth contain the highest concentration of the mineral Calcium in our body. A small fraction of the body’s calcium stores, approximately 1%, circulates in the blood. Aside from making our teeth and bones sturdy, calcium also plays vital roles in various bodily processes, such as muscle contraction, nerve transmission, and brain function. While very essential to the body’s well-being, excessive amounts of the mineral can also be harmful, and this can come as a result of metastatic colorectal cancer. When colon cancer cells make their way to the bones, they cause abnormal calcium resorption, making bones weak. This extra amount of calcium makes its way into the blood, overworking the kidneys where the mineral accumulates and forms stones. Heart muscle contraction is also affected, causing abnormal heart rhythm as well as heart attacks. Too much calcium can also cause loss of consciousness, and in severe cases, coma.
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