Agency Publishes 2012 Salt Reduction Targets
As part of its continued drive to reduce people"s risk of developing coronary heart disease, the Food Standards Agency has today published revised, voluntary salt reduction targets for industry to meet by 2012.
Oncology
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What Are Electrolytes?
may be given calcium intravenously. Heart drugs can cause dangerous build up of potassium. *Low calcium levels (hypocalcemia) - This can happen as a result of a sudden widespread blood infection, as well as infection in other tissues. If the body produces less parathyroid hormone the calcium levels can also drop - this may be the result after the removal of the parathyroid glands during neck surgery. People with vitamin D deficiency are more prone to hypocalcemia. The main reasons for low vitamin D are not enough exposure to sunlight and diet. Other reasons for vitamin D deficiency may include anticonvulsant medications, such as phenytoin and phenobarbital, or an underactive thyroid gland. People with hypocalcemia may experience numbness in the hands and/or feet, confusion, and even seizures. Treatment includes taking oral calcium supplements, and treating the disorder that caused it. *High calcium levels (hypercalcemia) - This can happen if a bone is broken down and calcium is released into the bloodstream. When cancer spreads to the bone there may be calcium release into the bloodstream. In severe cases of Paget"s disease hypercalcemia can become very debilitating. If levels of parathyroid hormone are too high hypercalcemia is much more likely - this is usually the result of a tumor in the parathyroid gland. Some cancers may cause parathyroid hormone levels to rise too much. If thyroid hormone levels are abnormally high calcium levels can rise excessively. If calcium levels rise slightly most people do not have any symptoms. If levels are higher the patient will experience dehydration because the kidneys will automatically start excreting more water. When levels are very high the patient will experience nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting and confusion. There is also a risk of coma and death. Very high levels of calcium need to be treated immediately. What is an electrolyte panel (electrolyte test)? An electrolyte panel is sometimes done as part of a routine physical. It can be done as it is or as part of a basic metabolic panel or comprehensive metabolic panel. The test is used to screen for any electrolyte or acid-base imbalance (the body"s balance between acidity and alkalinity) and to check the effect of treatment on a known imbalance that is affecting the bodily function of an organ. The electrolyte panel is often used with hospitalized patients or those who are brought to the emergency room - this is because acid-base and electrolyte imbalances are frequently part of acute and chronic illnesses. If a single electrolyte is found to be either too high or too low, the doctor will keep testing for that imbalance until levels are back to normal. If an acid-base imbalance is found, blood gas tests may be done. These measure the pH, oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in an arterial blood sample to determine how severe the imbalance is and see how the patient responds to treatment. Electrolytes may also be tested if the patient is prescribed certain drugs, especially diuretics or ACE inhibitors. Written by Christian Nordqvist Copyright: Medical News Today Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News TodayPages: 1 [2]