● Insomnia: Conversely, patients with chronic magnesium deficiency may develop insomnia.
As the condition becomes worse, the following signs and symptoms occur:
● Numbness or tingling: Vitamin or mineral deficiencies can affect the body in a number of ways, including nerve damage. This may manifest itself with sensations of numbness or tingling, especially in the hands and feet -- a condition called peripheral neuropathy
● Muscle contractions or cramps: People who have chronic magnesium deficiency may develop persistent or severe muscle pain or cramping.
● Seizures: Magnesium is a potential modulator of seizure activity because of its ability to moderate brain function. Likewise, people with chronic magnesium deficiency may develop seizures.
● Personality changes: Personality changes, including chronic anxiety, apathy, nervousness and irritability, hyperexcitability and belligerent behavior can develop in patients who have chronic magnesium deficiency.
● Abnormal heart rhythms or coronary spasms: In studies, magnesium deprivation has been shown to trigger episodes of atrial fibrillation (AFib) and other heart rhythm changes, and patients quickly responded to magnesium supplementation.
● Confusion and memory problems: Clouded thinking, confusion, disorientation and marked depression -- even terrifying hallucinations or delirium can be brought on by serious, chronic lack of magnesium.
In rare cases where there is severe magnesium deficiency, there can be hypocalcemia or hypokalemia (low serum calcium or potassium levels) because mineral homeostasis is disrupted.