Recognizing Vitamin D Deficiency Symptoms

By Kerri Stout


Life today for many people can prove to be far more hectic than ever before. Some find themselves under so much pressure at home or work they barely have time to stop for lunches or regular nutritious meals on schedule. Fast food and missed meals cannot provide the nutritional values needed to support a healthy body. Many people are suffering from vitamin D deficiency symptoms and are totally unaware of it.

Regarded as Sunshine Vitamins the average person can absorb them from exposure to direct natural sun light on a daily basis. There are also many foods that supply the necessary amounts of it for individuals. You can obtain over the counter supplements that are available at retail outlets that can help boost your levels of these vitamins.

The problem can arise if a person cannot get enough sunshine through illness or obligation to others or if they have darker skin pigmentation and there are some diseases that affect the body's ability to absorb nutrients naturally. Many doctors have difficulty diagnosing this ailment. The specified levels needed vary from study to study and it is difficult to determine the proper amount necessary. The Institute of Medicine has determined what levels are safe for specific age groups according to their nutritional needs. The accepted level rises as people age and senior women are listed at the highest levels.

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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