Therapeutic applications of magnesium

1994/07/01 Furundarena Salsamendi, Jose Ramon Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Medikuntza

In the tanks we have an average of 2,000 mEq Magnesium and the normal serum level ranges between 1.4 and 2.1 mEq/l. Body distribution is as follows: 53% in bone, 27% in muscles, 19% in soft tissues, 0.5% in red blood cells and 0.3% in seroa.

The regulation of magnesium in deposits is achieved by hormonal and metabolic effects that affect gastrointestinal absorption and renal excretion. It is sprayed through the esophagus and expelled by the kidneys (there is also a small amount in gastrointestinal leaks). The low intake of magnesium in the diet allows to absorb a greater proportion and, on the other hand, if the kidney reaches a lot of magnesium, it can expel more.

Magnesium is necessary for the metabolism of potassium and calcium. Hyposalesemia can cause hypocalcemia and hypocalcemia. The internal calcium of the cells can be altered and apart magnesium can prevent the influence of parathyroid hormone on the bone by changing calcium levels. In the smooth muscles of the heart and vessels it also acts against calcium. The influence on the cell membrane of cells on the function of the pump that regulates the intracellular level of sodium and potassium can also be important, and as has already been said, lack of magnesium can also reduce potassium.

Magnesium deficiency

In the tanks we have an average of 2,000 mEq Magnesium and the normal serum level ranges between 1.4 and 2.1 mEq/l. Body distribution is as follows: 53% in bone, 27% in muscles, 19% in soft tissues, 0.5% in red blood cells and 0.3% in seroa.

Serum magnesium level should not necessarily be correlated with that found in deposits, so it can be very difficult to detect deficiency or magnesium insufficiency. Even more knowing that severe deficiencies can happen without symptoms. Hypomagnesemia is detected in 65% of patients in the Intensive Care Units and in 11% of patients in other beds. Although other studies have been investigated that would better indicate the state of magnesium in deposits, nothing relevant has been found and the size of the urine elimination is rarely required for 24 hours or a day.

Symptoms attributable to lack of magnesium can be divided into four groups: neuromuscular hyperactivity, psychiatric alterations, calcium and potassium alterations and heart effects.

Leaving aside the serum level, consider situations in which hypomagnesemia often occurs: drugs that increase renal loss (amphoterin B, cisplatin, cyclosporine, digoxin, ethanol, gentamicin, diuretics and pentamidine), malnutrition, alcoholism, hypocalcemia and hypocalcemia and diabetes. Applying magnesium in these situations can be beneficial if there is no kidney failure.

Therapeutic applications of magnesium

We will mention the diseases in which it is advisable to use magnesium. These diseases are described below.

Pre-eclampsia

In this pregnancy disease can relieve cerebral and body vasospasm, probably due to the anti-alkali effect.

Ischemic heart disease

Abraham et al realized that patients admitted with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) had a rapid decrease in serum magnesium level that was normalized between 5 and 12 days. Following this discovery, works were published, as can be seen, that considered that the use of magnesium could be beneficial in this situation. Patients who ingested magnesium were less arrhythmias and less fatal than those who took placebo (apparent treatment). However, the reviews have been numerous because the design of these works has not been adequate.

A new study with 2,316 hospitalized patients suspected of AMI was published in 1992. Half were given magnesium and half were given placebo. After a month, 10% of placebos died (14% in the accredited AMI group and 3% in the unaccredited AMI group) and 8% of those who took magnesium (AMI were not distributed. The results of another major study are expected to be published this year.

Cardiac arrhythmias

Numerous studies have shown the beneficial effect of magnesium on cardiac arrhythmias. Because other medications are more effective, it is not possible to use magnesium in the first instance, but their toxicity as arrhythmias treatment would not be bad.

Asthma

The research published so far has different results. Alternative medicine is not avoided in asthma flare-ups or adversities, but in some cases it can be effective in patients who have no response with conventional treatments.

Hospitalization of alcoholics

Alcohol reduces magnesium levels by inadequate diet and increased renal elimination. The role of magnesium in the complications of epilepsy and delirium tremens due to lack of drink in hospitalized alcoholic patients is unknown. In these circumstances magnesium has been beneficial in some cases.