TETANY

a type of cramp that is a symptom of metabolic imbalance. The muscles of the hands and feet cramp rhythmically, and there may be spasms of the larynx with difficulty in breathing, nausea, vomiting, convulsions, and considerable pain. Tetany may be caused by too little calcium, potassium, or magnesium in the circulation or by an over-acid or over-alkaline condition of the body. These conditions may accompany poorly controlled hypoparathyroidism, hypophosphatemia, osteomalacia, renal disorders, or malabsorption syndromes. Treatment is directed at restoring metabolic balance, as by intravenous administration of calcium in cases of hypocalcemia (calcium deficiency).