Weird Ways Your Body Might React To Hypoparathyroidism

Lisette Marie

17. Laryngospasm/Bronchospasm: Airway Spasms

Young asian woman having a cough, sore throat and suffering from cold in winter. Photo Credit: Envato @kitzstocker

In cases of severe, acute hypocalcemia, the muscles controlling the larynx (voice box) and bronchi (airways) can go into spasm. Laryngospasm can cause difficulty breathing, a high-pitched sound during inhalation (stridor), and even airway obstruction – a medical emergency. Bronchospasm tightens the airways in the lungs, mimicking asthma symptoms. While less common with chronic management, it underscores the critical role of calcium in muscle function, including those essential for breathing.

18. Parkinsonism or Movement Issues

That shoulder still giving you issues. Photo Credit: Envato @YuriArcursPeopleimages

Related to the potential for basal ganglia calcifications (#16), some individuals with long-standing hypoparathyroidism may develop movement disorders that resemble Parkinson's disease. Symptoms can include tremors, stiffness (rigidity), slow movement (bradykinesia), and balance problems. While not true Parkinson's disease, these "parkinsonian" features result from the impact of chronic mineral imbalances on brain structures controlling movement. Managing calcium and phosphorus levels effectively is key to preventing or mitigating these neurological complications.

BACK

(9 of 12)

<div class="ads ads-1 collapse-container group-display-adsense unit-2024-desktop-rail-336x600-long zone-slideshow-desktop-rail-bottom">
<script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-6736552601239305"
     crossorigin="anonymous"></script>

<ins class="adsbygoogle"
     style="display:inline-block;width:300px;height:600px"
     data-ad-client="ca-pub-6736552601239305"
     data-ad-slot="7087745678"></ins>
<script>
     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
</script>
<script>
  addBlurHandler('sdr-bottom', function (el, zone) {
    if (cf_utm_source === 'bing') {
        uetqApi('outbound_click', {
            'event_category': 'PPC',
            'event_label': 'Adsense',
            'event_value': '1'
        });
        console.log('Fired bing.');
    }
	
	if (cf_utm_source === 'google') {
		gtag('event', 'conversion', {
			'send_to': 'AW-17008664059/yUYKCMCtl7kaEPu7rq4_',
			'value': 0.0,
			'currency': 'USD'
		});
    	console.log('Fired Google Conversion.');
	}
	
    console.log('Fired pixel.');
});
</script>
</div>

OpenAI Playground 2025-05-13 at 10.55.45.png

<div class="ads ads-1 collapse-container group-display-adsense unit-2024-desktop-rail-336x280-sticky zone-slideshow-desktop-rail-sticky">
<script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-6736552601239305"
     crossorigin="anonymous"></script>

<ins class="adsbygoogle"
     style="display:inline-block;width:300px;height:280px"
     data-ad-client="ca-pub-6736552601239305"
     data-ad-slot="9869999824"></ins>
<script>
     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
</script>
<script>
  addBlurHandler('sdr-sticky', function (el, zone) {
    if (cf_utm_source === 'bing') {
        uetqApi('outbound_click', {
            'event_category': 'PPC',
            'event_label': 'Adsense',
            'event_value': '1'
        });
        console.log('Fired bing.');
    }
	
	if (cf_utm_source === 'google') {
	  gtag('event', 'conversion', {
		'send_to': 'AW-17008664059/yUYKCMCtl7kaEPu7rq4_',
		'value': 0.0,
		'currency': 'USD'
	  });
	  console.log('Fired Google Conversion.');
  	}

console.log('Fired pixel.');
});
</script>
</div>

17. Laryngospasm/Bronchospasm: Airway Spasms

18. Parkinsonism or Movement Issues

MORE FROM HealthPrep