Sahyadri Hospital

Did you know that metabolism functions within a scope that goes beyond just maintaining your body weight? This chemical process is also subject to a number of complications and disorders, and can wreck your system without your knowledge. Mineral Metabolic Disorder is one such impediment that can easily corrupt your body and is characterized by an abnormal and unprecedented rise or fall of the level of minerals in the blood. This may result in a number of cardiovascular and bone diseases.

Minerals undoubtedly play an extremely vital role in the proper regulation of the body conditions and aid and abet growth and development. However, under certain (and mostly unforeseen) circumstances, the mineral levels have a propensity to differ substantially from the normal rates and may lead to several disorders. 

CAUSES

1.Mineral metabolic disorders may be genetic in certain cases, being transferred from the parent to the child via genes. 
2.However, most mineral metabolic disorders are likely to arise as a result of certain clinical conditions pertaining to starvation, excess alcohol consumption,diarrhea and diet disorders. 

EFFECTS

The most commonly observed and medically documented complications affecting metabolism as a result of sudden augment or fall in the following minerals are:

1. Magnesium: hypomagnesaemia and hypermagnesaemia
2.Calcium: nephrocalcinosis, hypercalcemia, osteoporosis, kidney stones, Paget's disease, osteomalacia, pseudohypoparathyroidism, rickets and hyperparathyroidism
3.Iron:  hemochromatosis and cirrhosis
4.Phosphorous: hypophosphatemia, osteomalacia, hyperparathyroidism, hypoparathyroidism and rickets.
5.Sodium: hypernatremia and dilutional hyponatremia
6.Zinc: nausea, skin rash, diarrhea, and difficulty in wound healing
7.Copper: Menkes syndrome and Wilson's disease
8.Potassium: Cushing's syndrome(from exposure to high levels of cortisol), Fanconi's syndrome, Bartter syndrome, Addison's disease and kidney disease

The ideal remedy to battle the majority of mineral metabolism disorders is to maintain a healthy lifestyle and follow a proper, filling, and balanced diet. In case the diseases crop as a result of genetic factors, consult your doctor immediately. However, in most cases, proper medication and a wholesome and nourishing food intake is recommended to fight most mineral metabolic diseases.
 

Nephrotic syndrome is a type of kidney disorder wherein, the body passes out excess amount of proteins through urine, owing to the damage caused to the tiny clusters of blood vessels in the kidneys. The symptoms include putting on excessive weight as a result of fluid retention, foamy urine and severe swelling around the region of the feet, ankles and eyes.

Common causes behind it

1. Minimal change disease (also known as nil disease) leads to the abnormal functioning of the kidneys
2. Excess deposit of amyloid proteins in the organs, thus taking a toll on the filter mechanism of the kidneys.
3. Diabetes affecting the glomeruli (capillaries present in the nephrons of the kidneys).
4. Systemic lupus erythematous causing chronic swelling of your kidney.
5. Membranous nephropathy wherein the membranes in your glomeruli thicken.
6. Infections such as malaria, hepatitis C, hepatitis B and HIV.
7. Medications to combat infections and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Treatment Available

1. Kidney Biopsy is an essential part of disease assessment.
2. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors bring down blood pressure levels as well as the amount of protein discharged from the urine.
3. Statins reduce cholesterol level.
4. Blood thinners such as anticoagulants lower the risk of blood clots.
5. Corticosteroids regulate the immune system and ease the inflammation that results from kidney disorders.
6. Incorporating certain lifestyle changes such as opting for lean proteins, cutting on the intake of fat in the diet and consuming lesser amounts of salt can treat inflammation and swelling.