Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 31, 2026
06:59
A Novel Approach for the Administration of Medications and Fluids in Emergency Scenarios and Settings
Published on: November 9, 2016
Milk alkali and hydrochlorothiazide: a case report.
Babar Parvez1, Chinenye Emuwa, Marquetta L Faulkner
1Department of Internal Medicine, Meharry Medical College, 1818 Albion Street, Nashville, TN 37208, USA.
Case Reports in Medicine
|July 9, 2011
Summary
Hypercalcemia, a common clinical issue, can result from excessive calcium intake and alkali use, especially with thiazide diuretics. This case highlights milk-alkali syndrome as a significant cause of high blood calcium levels.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Endocrinology
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Hypercalcemia is a frequent clinical condition with hyperparathyroidism and malignancy as primary causes.
- Milk-alkali syndrome, linked to calcium and alkali ingestion, is emerging as the third leading cause of hypercalcemia.
- Thiazide diuretics are commonly prescribed for hypertension and can exacerbate hypercalcemia.
Observation:
- This paper details a case of milk-alkali syndrome.
- The patient presented with hypercalcemia due to over-the-counter calcium and alkali consumption for acid reflux.
- Concomitant use of a thiazide diuretic for hypertension was noted.
Findings:
- Excessive intake of calcium and absorbable alkali can lead to milk-alkali syndrome.
- Thiazide diuretics can potentiate hypercalcemia in patients with milk-alkali syndrome.
- This combination of factors presents a significant risk for developing severe hypercalcemia.
Implications:
- Clinicians should consider milk-alkali syndrome in patients with hypercalcemia, particularly those using calcium supplements and alkali medications.
- Awareness of the synergistic effect between calcium/alkali intake and thiazide diuretics is crucial for prevention and management.
- This case underscores the importance of a thorough medication and supplement history in diagnosing and treating hypercalcemia.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Antihypertensive Drugs: Potassium-Sparing Diuretics
Liddle syndrome is a genetically inherited form of hypertension characterized by the overactivity of epithelial sodium channels in the nephron, the functional unit of the kidney. This heightened activity leads to increased sodium reabsorption and excessive excretion of potassium. To counteract this, potassium-sparing diuretics such as amiloride are used. They function by blocking these sodium channels, thereby reducing the influx of sodium into the epithelial cells and minimizing the loss of...
02:58Bronsted-Lowry Acids and Bases
The acid-base reaction class has been studied for quite some time. In 1680, Robert Boyle reported traits of acid solutions that included their ability to dissolve many substances, to change the colors of certain natural dyes, and to lose these traits after coming in contact with alkali (base) solutions. In the eighteenth century, it was recognized that acids have a sour taste, react with limestone to liberate a gaseous substance (now known to be CO2), and interact with alkalis to form neutral...
01:18Chronic Kidney Disease IV: Nursing Management
Nursing management is essential for preventing complications, maintaining stability, and improving patients' quality of life in chronic kidney disease (CKD). By using a structured approach, nurses help slow CKD progression and support effective patient care.1. Comprehensive patient assessmentEffective management begins with nurses reviewing the patient’s medical history, and identifying key risk factors like diabetes, hypertension, and nephrotoxic drug use. Nurses assess signs of fluid...
01:15Antihypertensive Drugs: Thiazide-Class Diuretics
Thiazide diuretics are sulfonamide derivatives featuring a benzothiadiazine ring system in their molecular structure. Based on this structure, thiazide diuretics can be categorized into two groups: thiazide-type and thiazide-like diuretics. Thiazide-type diuretics, including hydrochlorothiazide and chlorothiazide, consist of a benzothiadiazine backbone with an attached sulfonamide group. Thiazide-like diuretics, such as chlorthalidone and indapamide, lack the thiazide ring but demonstrate...
01:29Acute Kidney Injury III: Clinical Manifestations
Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) progresses through distinct clinical phases: the oliguric, diuretic, and recovery phases, each marked by unique manifestations and challenges.Oliguric Phase:The oliguric phase is the initial stage of AKI, typically lasting 10 to 14 days. This phase is marked by a significant reduction in urine output, usually less than 400 mL per day, indicating decreased kidney function. Fluid retention is a prominent feature, leading to symptoms such as edema, hypertension, and...
01:20Acute Kidney Injury V: Interprofessional Care
Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) requires a collaborative healthcare approach to restore renal function and prevent complications. Essential management strategies involve monitoring fluid and electrolyte balance, adjusting medications, initiating dialysis when necessary, and providing nutritional support.Fluid and Electrolyte ManagementFluid Monitoring: Regularly monitoring body weight, central venous pressure, and urine output helps detect fluid imbalances early. Patient intake and output are...