Tetany is caused by the deficiency of which mineral?

Tetany is caused by the deficiency of which mineral?

• A. Calcium
• B. Potassium
• C. Magnesium
• D. Sodium

Answer: (A)

Tetany happens mainly when calcium levels in the blood are too low. Calcium normally helps stabilize nerve and muscle cell membranes, so when it’s deficient, nerves become more excitable. This lowers the threshold for action potentials, so even small stimuli can trigger muscle contractions, spasm, or twitching, especially in the hands and feet and around the mouth. In terms of mechanism, low extracellular calcium makes voltage-gated sodium channels easier to open, leading to spontaneous or exaggerated nerve firing that manifests as tetany. That’s why hypocalcemia is the classic cause of this symptom. Potassium deficiency tends to cause generalized weakness and rhythm problems rather than the characteristic painful muscle spasms of tetany. Sodium imbalance can cause confusion or seizures in severe cases, and magnesium deficiency can contribute to irritability but tetany is most directly linked to calcium deficiency.

Tetany happens mainly when calcium levels in the blood are too low. Calcium normally helps stabilize nerve and muscle cell membranes, so when it’s deficient, nerves become more excitable. This lowers the threshold for action potentials, so even small stimuli can trigger muscle contractions, spasm, or twitching, especially in the hands and feet and around the mouth.

In terms of mechanism, low extracellular calcium makes voltage-gated sodium channels easier to open, leading to spontaneous or exaggerated nerve firing that manifests as tetany. That’s why hypocalcemia is the classic cause of this symptom.

Potassium deficiency tends to cause generalized weakness and rhythm problems rather than the characteristic painful muscle spasms of tetany. Sodium imbalance can cause confusion or seizures in severe cases, and magnesium deficiency can contribute to irritability but tetany is most directly linked to calcium deficiency.