Health Advice An answer to your medical questions » Vitamin Deficiency

Vitamin D Deficiency Symptoms

Kevin — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 00:56:43 +0000

Vitamin D, also referred to as sunshine vitamin, is synthesized from direct sunlight. Many people out there receive their entire supply of vitamin D from sunlight. But if they

do not get enough exposure, it may result in vitamin D deficiency symptoms. In this article, you will be able to discover few key symptoms of vitamin D deficiency.

Various diseases and critical health problems are linked with vitamin D deficiency symptoms. If you are able to understand the symptoms of vitamin D deficiency, you will be able to spot the problem at an earlier stage. Quite obviously, this will help you to start treatment at an earlier stage.

One of the most common vitamin D deficiency symptoms is soft bone disorder. This is known as ricket in children and osteoporosis in adults. Soft bone disorders imply that there is an inadequate supply of vitamin D, which results in vitamin D deficiency symptoms. The apparent symptoms are reduced bone density, easier fractures of bones, and crippling deformations.

Other vitamin D deficiency symptoms may include – high blood pressure, type I diabetes, low blood calcium levels, knock-kneed appearance, tuberculosis, chronic pain in bones, joints and muscles, depression, chronic fatigue, bowed limbs and periodontal disease.

However, not all of these symptoms individually indicate the presence of vitamin D deficiency, but three or four symptoms together represent the possibility of the condition. On the other hand, persistent presence of vitamin D deficiency symptoms coupled with indoor lifestyle and family history of osteoporosis or other type of bone disorders might indicate the possibility. However, a blood test is needed to confirm the nutrient deficiency.

Vitamin D deficiency problem can be easily corrected, if it is properly diagnosed. Once diagnosed, you need to increase your sun exposure. In fact, sun exposure for few minutes a day can dramatically improve the condition. You need to eat foods rich in vitamin D such as herring, salmon, beef and sardines. However, if you or any of your family members are diagnosed with any of these symptoms for a prolonged period of time, it is necessary to seek doctor’s help at the earliest.

Vitamin Deficiency

Kevin — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 00:54:06 +0000

Many people around the world pop vitamin pills without knowing what they are eating or how the substance is of help to them. Before knowing about vitamin or vitamin deficiency,

we first have to understand what makes vitamins so important for our body. Our metabolism process involves a cycle of chemical reactions, which include fat conversion, energy productions from carbohydrate and utilizing proteins to fix injured tissues. Vitamins play the role of catalysts during the metabolism in our body. They are not the direct suppliers of energy or calories. They function in a subtle form and ensure uninterrupted metabolic process.

If you are healthy by nature and eat a healthy diet, chances are remote that you need any extra supply of vitamins. However, vitamin supplements may be needed in the cases of breast feeding or pregnant mothers. Vitamin supplements are also important for people who are on low calorie diet, or consume moderate level of alcohol or taking certain medications. In order to obtain healthy supply of vitamin A, you must have butter, eggs, liver, whole milk, and vegetables. Vitamin A deficiency may lead to night blindness, Bitot’s spot and dry and toad skin problem.

Vitamin B12 is mostly found in milk, meat and fish. So it is necessary for vegan and vegetarian people to take vitamin B12 supplement. Vitamin B12 deficiency leads to weakness, fatigue, and shortness of breath, numbness and itchiness. In order to avoid vitamin C deficiency problem, one need to primarily depend on fresh leafy vegetables and citrus fruits, that are abundant in nature. It is very unlikely to develop vitamin C deficiency; however, the primary symptoms of vitamin C deficiency are bleeding, infected gums, bruising.

Lack of sun exposure may cause vitamin D deficiency in children. Additionally, it is important to eat egg yolks and fish in order to get rid off vitamin D deficiency problem. The most common symptoms are deformed spine and bowed legs. Vitamin K is mostly found in different vegetables. Vitamin K deficiency may lead to abnormal bleeding. One interesting fact to know about vitamins is that there is still no evidence in support that natural vitamins are far superior than artificial vitamins.

Vitamin K Deficiency

Kevin — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 00:51:32 +0000

A vitamin K deficiency problem is one of the most overlooked areas that need serious medical attention. There are some common chronic disorders that have some similar symptoms

of vitamin K deficiency. Vitamin K is necessary to coagulate blood and it helps in maintaining equilibrium in the density of the bone. Additionally, it plays a major role in appropriate fetus development. Vitamin K deficiency leads to heavy menstrual bleeding, bleeding during urination, gastrointestinal bleeding, gum bleeding, easy bruising, hemorrhaging, liver cancer and many more.

Now the question comes in the mind why vitamin K deficiency results in abnormal bleeding primarily. It is mainly because of the fact that it is essentially responsible for impaired blood clotting. However, vitamin K deficiency is not so common in adults. There are a wide variety of reasons for this. First of all, vitamin K is abundantly found in various foods such as olive oil, soybean oil, canola oil, mayonnaise, cooked broccoli, raw kale, raw spinach, raw leaf lettuce, raw parsley and many more. Secondly, the vitamin K cycle preserves the production of vitamin K itself.

People experience vitamin K deficiency if they take vitamin K anticoagulant drugs and people with significant liver damage may experience vitamin K deficiency as well. Apart from that, people having fat malabsorption disorder may also suffer from the problem. Now if we consider the case of newborn babies, they are at higher risk for developing vitamin K deficiency, if they are exclusively breast fed, because breast milk contains very lesser amount of vitamin K. This is why, it is important to feed an infant with formula food as well along with breast milk.

Vitamin K deficiency in infants may lead to bleeding disorder, which is referred to as vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB). It is life threatening, however, easy prevention is possible. Mothers having anticonvulsant medication may have infants with an increased risk of developing vitamin K deficiency problem. Vitamin K deficiency in children does the same disorder as it does to adults, however, the risk is much higher. In each of the cases, the problem is easily preventable.

Vitamin D Deficiency

Kevin — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 00:48:50 +0000

Vitamin D deficiency causes rickets. In other words, vitamin D deficiency leads to calcification failure in normal bone structure. This deficiency is mostly prevalent among infants

and children. In case of adults, vitamin D deficiency results in osteomalacia. The prognosis is satisfactory with treatment. However, in case of rickets, the bone deformities usually continue, however, in case of osteomalacia, the deformities typically fade away.

Inadequate dietary supply results in vitamin D deficiency. Apart from that, malabsorption of vitamin D is also the cause of vitamin D deficiency. Too little exposure can also lead to vitamin D deficiency. There was a time when rickets were prevalent in United States, however, now it is quite rare. It occurs among those infants who do not receive vitamin D supplement or formula food along with breast milk.

Signs and Symptoms
At the onset of the problem, the most common signs and symptoms are abundant sweating, irritability and restlessness. Chronic vitamin D deficiency leads to bone structure malformation and bone softening including bowlegs, rachitic rosary, knock-knees, wrists enlargement, pigeon breast, ankles enlargement, skull softening, infantile tetany, poorly developed muscles, and forehead bulging.

Treatment
Treatment mainly focuses on oral administration of vitamin D, except in the case of malabsorption. The oral administration not only includes synthetic supplements, but also natural sources like processed milk, liver and fish. Exposure to sunlight is also highly recommended. In case of rickets, bracing or positioning is used in an attempt to correct or prevent the deformities. Some skeletal deformities may also need surgical intervention.

Health practitioners must collect a medical history from the patient in order to evaluate the amount of current intake of the vitamin D supplement and inspire the patient to consume foods rich in vitamin D. These foods include egg yolks, fortified milk, herring, fish liver oils, and liver. In addition, patients are encouraged to have enough sun exposure.

Excessive consumption of vitamin D leads to vitamin D toxicity. So it is the duty of the health care practitioners to make the patient and family members aware of the facts of the vitamin D in details. If the patient is having a vitamin D supplement for a prolonged period of time, he or she must understand the signs and symptoms associated with vitamin D toxicity.

Vitamin C Deficiency

Kevin — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 00:46:08 +0000

Vitamin C deficiency, also referred to as ascorbic acid deficiency, is historically common among sailors who are deprived of having fresh fruits and vegetables

for a prolonged period of time. Vitamin C deficiency causes scurvy, which develops as a result of maladaptive formation of collagen.

The primary cause behind developing vitamin C deficiency problem attributes to a lack in dietary supply. If someone does not eat citrus fruits, broccoli, tomatoes, berries, cabbages in sufficient amount, he or she may develop vitamin C deficiency disorders. Acute vitamin C deficiency may lead to scurvy including dentin formation and abnormal osteoid.

Vitamin C is very important for our system; however, our body can not store this vitamin in sufficient amount. This is why regular supply of vitamin C is mandatory. Vitamin C may get destroyed due to overcooking or overexposure to air. If a pregnant mother consumes an excessive amount of vitamin C, the degree of requirement for vitamin becomes higher for the neonates.

Signs and Symptoms
Vitamin C deficiency leads to extreme fragile condition. When it occurs in adults, the conditions like petechiae, follicular hyperkeratosis, ecchymoses, weakness, lethargy, pallor, bleeding gums, swollen gums, loose teeth, poor wound healing, ocular hemorrhages and insomnia become prevalent. When it occurs in children, the conditions such as tenderness, leg swelling, vomiting, diarrhea and fever become apparent.

Treatment
At its extreme state, vitamin C deficiency leads to scurvy and scurvy is potentially fatal. If diagnosed, treatment starts immediately to bring back the satisfactory level of vitamin C ingestion by a daily dose of 100-200 mg in either synthetic form or orange juice. In order to avoid vitamin C deficiency for individuals unwilling to consume vitamin C rich foods, vitamin C supplement is then administered. In such case, either vitamin C is administered orally or through slow intravenous injection. When administered, movement is strictly prohibited.

It is the duty of the health care practitioners to let the patients know about the importance of ascorbic acid in our body and how it helps our system. In addition, the health care practitioners should talk to the family members of the patient regarding the available dietary sources of vitamin C.

Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Kevin — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 00:42:44 +0000

Vitamin B12 is vital for normal functioning of the human body system. If left untreated, vitamin B12 deficiency may lead to macrocytic anemia, which is a condition featured by larger

red blood corpuscles and a reduced ability to transport oxygen to different blood cells. This is because the patients become so anemic, they tend to be light headed, exhausted and tend to have shortness of breath. In some cases, vitamin B12 deficiency may lead to neuropathy problem at different degree.

Elderly people are at higher risk for developing vitamin B12 deficiency, which results in anemia. This occurs mainly due to the fact that elderly people usually eat food that does not contain sufficient amounts of vitamin B12. Vegan and Vegetarian people face this problem, because vitamin B12 is mostly found in animal origin such as liver, eggs, meat, fish and milk. Exclusively breastfeeding infants may suffer from a vitamin B12 deficiency problem, if the mother is strictly vegetarian. People suffering from Crohn’s disease may also suffer from vitamin B12 deficiency problem.

Signs and Symptoms
If someone suffers from vitamin B12 deficiency anemia, the first thing that is noticable is that the person will suffer from extreme fatigue, shortness of breath and dizziness. Irritated and reddish tongue, declined sense of taste, altered or diminished sense of touch, diminished sense of vibration, etc. It may be possible that the person does not develop anemia, or in such a case, he or she may develop nerve disorder or nerve damage. This is quite prevalent among senior citizens. The common symptoms are – affected legs, tingling sensation in feet and hands, muscle weakness, difficulty in movement.

Prevention
Eating the same type of diet all the time may aggravate the situation. So it is highly recommended to eat a varied diet. In most of the cases, vegans and vegetarians suffer more than non-vegetarians, since fish, livers and eggs are the primary sources of vitamin B12 that is because animal origin is the primary source of vitamin B12, it is important for vegans and vegetarians to take vitamin B12 supplements in order to avoid vitamin B12 deficiency problem.

A Vitamin B12 deficiency problem can be supplemented with the help of oral medicines. Vitamin B12 supplements are available in many different forms.

Vitamin B Deficiency

Kevin — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 00:39:15 +0000

An insufficient supply of vitamin B may cause vitamin B deficiency. Vitamin B has 8 different forms – thiamine, niacin, riboflavin, pyridoxine, folic acid,

cyanocobalamin, biotin and pantothenic acid and lack of supply in any of these 8 types may lead to vitamin B deficiency problem. Vitamin B plays a major role in human body development and proper functioning, thus vitamin B deficiency may cause a serious problem in an individual’s life.

Vitamin B complex is a water soluble substance vital to many bodily functioning, blood formation and cell formation. Most commonly vitamin B deficiency occurs as a result of deficiencies in thiamin or B1, riboflavin or B2, ninacin, pyridoxine or B6 and cobalamin B12. Vitamin B deficiency for thiamin may result from limited supply of dietary intake of thiamin. In addition, thiamin deficiency may result from moderate level of alcohol consumption, chronic diarrhea problem or emergency requirement during pregnancy days. Both pregnant and lactating mothers may suffer from thiamin deficiency.

Riboflavin deficiency develops when the diet lacks sufficient supply of milk, fish, meat, green and leafy vegetables, and legumes. Chronic diarrhea and alcoholism may cause riboflavin deficiency. If milk is exposed to sunlight or if legumes are treated with baking soda, then riboflavin deficiency may occur. Pyridoxine deficiency develops as a result of autoclaving of infant’s formula, which causes destruction of pyridoxine. Cobalamin or vitamin B12 deficiency develops as a result of absence of intrinsic factors in either gastrointestinal secretions or receptor sites following an ileal resection.

Apart from all these factors, vitamin B deficiency may develop as a result of malabsorption syndromes linked with sprue, local ileitis, intestinal worm or gluten enteropathy. People having a diet low in animal protein for a prolonged period of time may also develop a vitamin B deficiency problem.

Depending on the type of the vitamin B deficiency, a wide variety of signs and symptoms may appear including Wernicke’s encephalopathy and Korsakoff’s psychosis, infantile beriberi, edema, cheilosis, seborrheic dermatitis, anorexia, headache, muscle weakness, indigestion, dermatitis, vomiting, abdominal pain, seizures and many others. Appropriate supply of dietary intake can correct and prevent this vitamin deficiency problem.

Vitamin A Deficiency

Kevin — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 00:36:37 +0000

One of the major causes of preventable blindness in developing countries is vitamin A deficiency. It is a fat soluble vitamin found in egg yolks, fish liver oils,

cream and butter, yellow and green leafy vegetables. Vitamin A deficiency is primarily caused by malnutrition. However, there are many other different reasons for occurring vitamin A deficiency as listed here – celiac disease – an inability to tolerate wheat protein; cystic fibrosis; duodenal bypass; obstruction occurred in the bile ducts area; cirrhosis; sprue – a condition when vitamins are not absorbed; and many others.

Signs and Symptoms
According to World Health Organization, vitamin A deficiency leads to various types of ocular problems such as night blindness, conjunctival xerosis, Bitot’s spot, corneal xerosis, keratomalacia and corneal scarring. Each of them has different signs and symptoms depending on the types of the disease. For example, night blindness, as its name suggests, leads to involuntary blindness during evening and night time. On the other hand, Bitot’s spot appears on the conjunctiva area.

Vitamin A deficiency does not only lead to eye problem, but there are some other signs and symptoms of vitamin A deficiency as well. Vitamin A deficiency may lead to frequent infections including diarrhea, malaria, and measles. In addition, it may cause stunted growth, malnutrition, anemia, toad skin, etc.

Treatment
The treatment of vitamin A deficiency must include treatment of the underlying causes and not the mere symptoms only. Administration of oral vitamin is necessary. If the patient has a vomiting tendency, it is important to provide water-miscible vitamin A or intra-muscular injection. If keteromalacia occurs, surgical intervention is necessary.

Precautionary Measures
Although the signs and symptoms of vitamin A deficiency are terrifying, it is an easily preventable disorder. There are precautionary measures that one can take to avoid such problems. These are – taking oral vitamin A, malnutrition treatment, eating vitamin A rich foods, treating associated disorders, diagnostic screening of siblings and children having the onset of the vitamin A deficiency disease, administering vitamin A to breastfeeding women.

Vitamin Deficiency Disease

Kevin — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 00:33:23 +0000

As documented by different researchers and nutritionists, vitamin deficiency leads to a wide variety of diseases. Vitamin deficiency diseases may include the names of scurvy,

which is caused by vitamin C deficiency; pernicious anemia and neurological development problems, caused by vitamin B12 deficiency; joint disorders and rickets, caused by vitamin D deficiency; cataracts and cancer, caused by vitamin E deficiency; and so on.

Most of the food producing soils around the world have long been run down lacking the essential nutrients including minerals and vitamins which are necessary for maintaining a healthy and disease free life. Quite obviously, this makes to add on these essential missing nutrients in our diets. It reveals that the food we consume, if it lacks the necessary nutrients, then we willl experience malnutrition, sooner or later, leading to mineral and vitamin deficiency diseases.

In my articles, you will get plenty of information on vitamin deficiency diseases. If you are interested to discover many interesting facts on individual vitamin deficiency diseases, you are at the right place. Here you will be able to discover what vitamin deficiency is and what diseases are caused by vitamin D deficiency, vitamin B12 deficiency, vitamin A deficiency, vitamin C deficiency, vitamin B deficiency, and vitamin K deficiency. In addition, you will be able to get to know about vitamin D deficiency symptoms in specific.

The elaborative description on different vitamin deficiencies in connection with the required diets mentioned here helps you to understand what changes you should make in your diet to get rid off this deficiency problem. In that sense, you can consider this site as a reference page to design your diet and supplement chart.

Unfortunately, our medical science is not yet so rich that it can focus on treating underlying causes almost all the time, which results in inevitably unsatisfactory actual treatment sometime. It is important to understand how vitamin deficiency brings an adverse impact to the overall well-being of an individual. This site offers a brief insight over this issue and helps you to understand the adversity of a vitamin deficiency problem and the degree of problems associated with it.