What are the causes of hypomagnesemia?

HYPOMAGNESEMIA; MAGNESIUM deficiency diseases; INTESTINAL diseases; DEFICIENCY diseases; MAGNESIUM metabolism; MAGNESIUM in the body; DISEASE risk factors; EVIDENCE-based medicine; MEDICINE

This article presents information from evidence-based medicine on the causes of hypomagnesemia. The causes of magnesium depletion and hypomagnesemia are decreased gastrointestinal (GI) absorption and increased renal loss. Decreased GI absorption is frequently due to the diarrhea, malabsorption, and inadequate dietary intake. Common causes of urinary loss are diuresis due to alcohol, glycosuria and loop diuretics. Medical conditions putting persons at high risk for hypomagnesemia are alcoholism, congestive heart failure, diabetes, chronic diarrhea, hypokalemia, hypocalcemia, and malnutrition. Evidence suggests that magnesium deficiency is more common and more clinically significant than generally appreciated. INSET: CLINICAL COMMENTARY.