Milk-and-alkali tetany
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186045374
2008-01-22T04:29:36Z
SkierRMH
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clean up w/defaultsort , replaced: Category:Electrolyte disturbance → Category:Electrolyte disturbances using [[Project:AutoWikiBrowser|AWB]]
{{Orphan|date=November 2006}}
'''Milk-and-alkali tetany''' is a form of [[tetany (medical sign)|tetany]] cramps of the wrists and hands ([[carpal]] spasm) or legs ([[pedal]] spasm) caused by an [[electrolyte]] imbalance.
Sufferers from [[peptic ulcer]]s often take an alkali such as [[bicarbonate of soda]] to relieve the symptoms, and wash it down with [[milk]]. This causes the [[calcium]] of the milk to [[precipitate]] out, whilst the [[phosphate]] is digested.
Treatment consists simply of discontinuing the habit.
[[Category:Electrolyte disturbances]]