vitamin d deficiency symptoms
Repeated illness and infection
Vitamin D deficiency is associated with an increased incidence of colds, influenza, and respiratory infections. A study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine on 19,000 adults and adolescents showed that people with lower vitamin D levels were more likely to develop respiratory infections. higher compared to people with higher levels of vitamin D.
Many recent studies have also indicated that vitamin D may play an essential role in enhancing the functions of the immune system, in addition to its role in building bones, and people with common lung diseases, such as asthma, or emphysema, which is a lung disease that causes shortness of breath, Or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease - more likely to develop respiratory infections caused by vitamin D deficiency.
Back pain
Vitamin D deficiency may exacerbate back pain. Where an observational study based on observation published in 2013 and conducted on 350 patients suffering from spinal stenosis in one of the lumbar vertebrae in the spine, and suffering from pain in the lower back and foot, has shown that there is a relationship between severe pain and a high rate of vitamin D deficiency in them.
orthopedic problems
Where a long-term vitamin D deficiency can lead to bone problems, including the following: Osteoporosis: where the bones become thin or brittle, and are easily broken as a result of any minor trauma, and this may be the first sign of osteoporosis, and often affects This condition is in the elderly. Osteomalacia: This condition affects children, and leads to thinning of the bones, increased susceptibility to fracture, deformities, short stature, pain when walking, and dental problems.
Poor wound healing
Low vitamin D levels lead to poor wound healing after surgery or injury. A laboratory study published in Burns magazine in 2016 indicated that consuming vitamin D nutritional supplements improves wound healing, collagen protein production, and the formation of new skin cells, such as the young fibroblast.
As one preliminary study published in the British Journal of Nutrition in 2014 and conducted on 112 patients with diabetic foot inflammation; People with severe vitamin D deficiency had higher levels of inflammatory cytokines, but there are not enough studies on the effect of consuming vitamin D supplements to reduce this inflammation.
As for those who suffer from leg ulcers; A study published in the journal Revista do Colégio Brasileiro de Cirurgiões in 2012 indicated that the consumption of 50,000 IU of vitamin D supplementation for people with leg ulcers of the equivalent size of 25 square centimeters per week for two months reduced the size of these ulcers to 18 square centimeters. The study showed that people with these ulcers suffer more from vitamin D deficiency.
Depression
A meta-analysis published in The British Journal of Psychiatry in 2013 of 14 studies involving 424 people found that low levels of vitamin D are associated with depression, and researchers believe, according to a preliminary study published in the Journal of Chemical Neuroanatomy in 2005, that vitamin D is similar to the effect of steroids. Neurosteroids in the brain, there are receptors for it. It has properties that secrete hormones and chemical compounds to transmit signals between cells (Autocrine), and other properties to stimulate changes in brain cells to alter their behavior (Paracrine). Therefore its low levels may be associated with depression and other mental disorders.
excessive sweating
Sweating is a good thing for health, because it leads to the elimination of toxins in the fat cells under the skin, while excessive sweating is a sign of vitamin D deficiency, and it should be noted that sweating in the head, in particular, is one of the first symptoms of vitamin D deficiency.
Causes of vitamin D deficiency
Vitamin D deficiency is likely to have several causes, including the following:
Not getting the recommended amount of vitamin D. Limited exposure to sunlight. Digestive problems, such as; Inflammatory bowel diseases, such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, wheat allergy, malabsorption, and cystic fibrosis.
Obesity
getting old.
Dark-skinned people.
Complications of vitamin D deficiency
Vitamin D deficiency can lead to many complications if it continues for long periods, and we mention the following:
Cardiovascular disease
A review published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology in 2008 indicated that vitamin D deficiency is associated with an increased risk of heart disease, and another review published in the Journal of Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care in 2008 stated that this deficiency in vitamin D Which is associated with the risk of developing these diseases such as stroke and heart failure may be due to its effect on diabetes or high blood pressure, while there is not enough information whether consuming vitamin D supplements may reduce the risk of heart disease.
Autoimmune diseases
The prevalence of autoimmune diseases has increased over the past few decades. A review published in Life Sciences in 2019 stated that the lack of sufficient amounts of vitamin D is a risk factor for the development of some autoimmune diseases, and therefore adequate levels of this vitamin must be maintained to maintain health. and reduce the risk of contracting these diseases.
Neurological diseases
A preliminary study published in Neurology in 2014 found that moderate to severe vitamin D deficiency in the elderly may increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease and dementia.
pregnancy complications
A review published in Current Opinion in Obstetrics and Gynecology in 2014 stated that low vitamin D levels in pregnant women are common, and lead to an increased risk of pregnancy complications including pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, and preterm labor, but more is still needed. Studies on the effect of pregnant women's consumption of vitamin D supplements to mitigate these complications.
some types of cancer
A review published in the American Journal of Public Health in 2006 showed that the high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency is associated with an increased risk of developing some types of cancer, such as breast, prostate, colon, and ovarian cancer, and it is believed that consuming vitamin D supplements may reduce the risk of cancer. And death.
Treating vitamin D deficiency
The treatment of vitamin D deficiency aims to raise the levels of this vitamin to safe levels while maintaining them and avoiding the risk of deficiency. The most prominent methods of treating vitamin D deficiency include the following:
Dietary supplements: these are available in two forms, D2 and D3
Vitamin D injections: these are suitable for people who do not prefer to take oral medications or who may forget to consume vitamin D tablets.
