A Look At Vitamin D Deficiency Symptoms

By Kerri Stout


The world today is fast paced and hectic for most of the people who must live in it. Many are forced to choose between the pressures of their job and the basic need to take time for nutritious meals that will help maintain their skills. Choosing fast foods or energy bars and drinks can produce adverse effects to your health. Awareness of Vitamin D deficiency symptoms and their causes can prove beneficial to health and well being of everyone.

There are several ways to supplement the intake of basic vitamins starting with sitting in the sun. The body can create D vitamins for itself by metabolizing direct sunshine it is exposed to. Many foods contain needed amounts of D vitamins and additional supplements can be purchased over the counter in most stores.

There are natural factors that can put people at risk for this problem. They include limited exposure to natural sun light, darker complexions, obesity, and a number of chronic diseases that can affect the body's absorption of nutrients in a normal fashion. Many time it is difficult for doctors to diagnose this problem because the accepted levels necessary vary widely dependent on which study you look at. There are federal standards and the Institute of Medicine has schedules available that chart needs by age groupings.

Doctors list the most common indications of this problem as bone pain and muscle weakness. These signs are very subtle so this malady is often not considered when diagnosis is made. The doctor must ask for specific tests when ordering blood work to determine its existence.

Those who have endured this problem are able to give a more detailed description of the problems they had. Many of them say that their joints and especially their hips are very painful. The pain is so extreme that they have trouble standing up from a seated position. They also relate that they have suffered massive hair loss, cognitive problems that cause problems focusing and thinking and chronic fatigue that sometimes leaves them with no energy to move.

Bone density loss is one of the most dangerous features of this ailment. Women over forty are encouraged to have bone density scans to check for loss. They are also encouraged to regularly take calcium tablets that are fortified with vitamin D to strengthen their bones and help prevent fractures should they fall.

Long term issues that can arise from this deficiency include cancer, heart disease, diabetes and liver and kidney problems. It can also cause serious asthma in children. Studies are being done to determine whether there is any effect on patients who have high blood pressure with very promising results. There are also studies that indicate a link between taking this supplement and decreasing the risk of precancerous polyps of the colon, reducing the risk of falling and development of multiple sclerosis in women.

Whether you have a shortage of D vitamins or not it may serve you well in the long run to supplement them by sitting in sunshine or purchasing the needed dosage at your favorite store.




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