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Vitamin B12 deficiency can develop if a person misses vitamins from the foods they consume. Vitamin B12 is essential for the production of red blood cells in the body and for the health of the nerves. If the body lacks B12, it will affect the number of red blood cells and the nerves can be damaged. If vitamin B12 deficiency is not treated, complications, including heart failure, may occur. People who follow a vegan or vegetarian diet may be at risk because the vitamin is best obtained from foods of animal origin.
Some medical conditions can affect a person's absorption of the vitamin, such as pernicious anemia.
Taking certain medications can also affect the absorption of vitamin B12.
If vitamin B12 deficiency is detected early enough, it can be easily treated and complications avoided.
According to Bupa, a sign of distrust is that of needles and needles.
This explains: "Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause nerve related symptoms. This is what is called vitamin B12 neuropathy.
"It can affect your movements and your feelings, especially in the legs, cause numbness and tingling and decrease your sensitivity to touch, vibration or pain.
"It can also cause confusion, depression, poor concentration and memory loss."
Thyroid Patient Advocacy adds tingling to the back of one or both thighs, starting with the hips and pulling down, this can also be a sign.
This may initially be more embarrbading than painful, but may become painful if left untreated.
A throbbing pain or tingling may also occur in the palm of the hand or both hands.
He adds: "This occurs suddenly and for no apparent reason at a location directly under the ring, approximately at the location of the first fold of the palm.
"If the vitamin B12 deficiency is not treated, a tingling pain may begin to appear on the outer edge of the hand, starting from the wrist.
"This pain occurs when the wrist is flexed to the back."
Other symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency
Bupa describes the other symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency to watch for:
- Feeling very tired
- Shortness of breath even after a little exercise
- Heart palpitations
- Headache
- Reduced appetite
- A painful mouth and tongue
He adds, "If you suffer from Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia, you may also look pale or yellowish (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes)."
Treatment of vitamin B12 deficiency
If a person does not consume enough vitamin B12, they may be advised by a general practitioner to eat more vitamin B12 fortified foods or to take supplements at regular doses.
Vitamin B12 injections may also be recommended, and for people suffering from pernicious anemia, injections may be needed for the rest of their lives.
Experts say that adults aged 19 to 64 need about 1.5 micrograms (mg) of vitamin B12 a day and that, except in case of pernicious anemia, you should be able to get some in your diet.
If vitamin B12 deficiency is caused by not including enough B12 foods in the diet, Harvard Health Publishing, part of Harvard Medical School, offers the "B12 Food List" on its website .
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