FREQUENCY OF SIGNS/SYMPTOMS OF HYPOMAGNESAEMIA IN USERS OF FILTERED WATER AS COMPARED TO USERS OF TAP WATER

Introduction: Filteration of water lowers its magnesium level. Magnesium is important mineral used in over 300 enzymes and its deficiency leads to various diseases of nerves, muscles, mental and cardiovascular health. This study intended to compare symptoms of magnesium deficiency among users of filtered water and those using tap water in order to provide evidence that use of filtered water is causing magnesium deficiency symptoms and hence advocating magnesium supplementation. Methodology: A cross sectional survey was conducted and 100 subjects were randomly selected from Lahore and were interviewed regarding their drinking water and data was collected regarding their sociodemographic status and presence of signs/symptoms of hypomagnaemia namely occurrence of cramps, muscle twitching, fasciculation, tingling, numbness of different body parts, fatigue, irritability, seizures. Data was analysed in SPSS 20.. Results: Out of our sample of 100, mean age of the respondents was 26 +/-10years,74( 74%). 28(28%) are working and 72(72%) are non-working,. 50% were filtering water at home and 50% people used to drink water from filtration plants.50% complained of muscle cramps in which 45(48%) people were using tap water and 8(61.5%) were using filter water. 35% experienced muscle twitching in which 29(33.3%) were people using tap water and 6(46.1%) were using filtered. 21(24%) people using filtered water felt tingling in comparison to 5 (38.4%) using tap water.12 (13.7%)people who used filter water had seizures while 3(25%) people amongst those who used tap water.38(43.6%) people using filtered water felt numbness in various body parts while 7 (53.8%) amongest users of tap water. 25(28%) people who used filtered water suffered insomnia as compared to 5(38%) people using tap water. 52% complains of irritability in which 6(46%) were using tap water and 45(51%) were using filtered water. 38% had irregular heartbeat from which 3(23%) were using tap water as compared to 42(48%) using filtered water. Conclusion: Signs and symptoms of hypomagnesemia were not higher in people using filtered water.