From the Research
Milk-alkaline syndrome is a medical condition caused by excessive consumption of calcium-containing products, particularly milk and calcium-based antacids, leading to hypercalcemia and metabolic alkalosis, as recently highlighted in a 2023 study 1. This syndrome typically develops when someone consumes large amounts of calcium along with absorbable alkali, often in the form of calcium carbonate antacids like Tums or large quantities of milk. Some key points to consider include:
- Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, headache, confusion, and in severe cases, kidney damage.
- The condition occurs because the combination of high calcium intake and alkaline substances reduces calcium excretion by the kidneys, causing calcium levels in the blood to rise abnormally.
- Treatment involves discontinuing the offending calcium and alkali sources, increasing fluid intake, and in severe cases, medical intervention to lower calcium levels, as seen in a case report from 2022 2.
- People taking calcium supplements or antacids should follow recommended dosages and consult healthcare providers before long-term use, as emphasized in a study from 2007 3.
- Those with kidney disease are at higher risk and should be particularly cautious with calcium-containing products, as noted in a study from 1996 4. It is essential to consider drug-related factors and polypharmacy in older adults with multimorbidity, as illustrated in a case report from 2023 1, and to obtain a thorough medication history, including use of over-the-counter supplementation, as highlighted in a study from 2007 3.