What condition is characterized by muscle spasms and tingling due to low calcium levels?

Tetany is a condition that occurs due to low levels of calcium in the bloodstream, also known as hypocalcemia. The reduced calcium affects neuromuscular excitability, leading to symptoms such as muscle spasms, tingling sensations, and cramps. This hyperexcitability is primarily because calcium plays a crucial role in the transmission of nerve impulses and muscle contractions. When calcium levels drop, the neurons become more excitable, which results in involuntary muscle contractions and spasms commonly associated with tetany.

In contrast, conditions like severe muscle weakness can arise from various causes and do not specifically involve the same neuromuscular excitability seen in tetany. Hypertonia refers to increased muscle tone or rigidity, which is not characterized by spasms or tingling. Dystonia involves abnormal muscle tone and movements, presenting differently from the symptoms of tetany. The specific link between low calcium and the neuromuscular symptoms makes tetany the defining condition in this scenario.