Symptoms of Vitamin D Deficiency

Symptoms of vitamin D deficiency are often not realized. In fact, if left untreated, this condition can increase the risk of certain diseases, from bone disorders to infections. Therefore, the symptoms of vitamin D deficiency need to be recognized as early as possible, the following causes.

Everyone's vitamin D needs are different depending on their age. In infants, vitamin D intake that needs to be met every day is 10 mcg (400 IU). Meanwhile, the need for vitamin D in children and adults is 15 mcg (600 IU) per day and the elderly around 20 mcg (800 IU) per day.

Vitamin D can be produced by the body with the help of sun exposure, and can also be obtained from foods, such as fish, fish oil, beef liver, cheese, eggs, mushrooms, and milk that has been fortified with vitamin D. Vitamin D can also be obtained through supplements.

When a person rarely consumes these foods or is less exposed to sunlight, he is at risk of deficiency of vitamin D deficiency.

Causes of Vitamin D Deficiency

In the body, vitamin D is used to maintain bone health and help absorb calcium. The amount of vitamin D in the body is regulated by the parathyroid gland.

In people who do not have certain medical conditions and routinely lead a healthy lifestyle, vitamin D deficiency is actually quite rare. However, there are several factors that can increase a person's risk of experiencing vitamin D deficiency, including:

• Consuming less food containing vitamin D, for example, due to extreme diets
• Lessor less exposure to sunlight
• Darker skin color
• Certain medical conditions or conditions, such as hyperparathyroidism, osteoporosis, liver and kidney damage, tuberculosis, cancer, and digestive disorders, for example, due to Crohn's disease and celiac disease
• Obesity
• Drug side effects, such as anti-seizure medications, cholesterol-lowering drugs cholestyramine, corticosteroids, antifungal agents, and HIV treatment

Some Symptoms of Vitamin D Deficiency

Symptoms of vitamin D deficiency are often not seen and even not felt by the sufferer. Therefore, many sufferers do not realize that their bodies lack vitamin D.

Sometimes, vitamin D deficiency is also only detected through a blood test when someone undergoing a medical examination to the doctor.

Although there are no specific symptoms, symptoms can sometimes occur when the body is deficient in vitamin D. The following are some symptoms of vitamin D deficiency:

1. Easily tired

Low levels of vitamin D in the body can make the body more tired and less energy. Therefore, people who lack vitamin D tend to look lethargic and lack of activity because they feel that their body is underpowered.

2. Bone and muscle pain

Several studies have shown that one of the most common symptoms of vitamin D deficiency is bone and muscle pain, especially in the neck and back. Vitamin D deficiency can also cause muscle weakness and muscle cramps.

3. Bone loss

Lack of vitamin D can cause the amount of calcium in the body to decrease. This can make bones become porous. When the bones are porous, a person can feel symptoms of bone pain, broken bones, or changes in body posture.

4. Longer wound healing

Wound healing after surgery or an accident that is longer than usual can be a sign of vitamin D deficiency. This is because vitamin D affects the production of chemical compounds in the body that play a role in the wound healing process.

5. Often sick

Vitamin D plays an important role in maintaining endurance by supporting the work of white blood cells. This is why people who are deficient in vitamin D tend to get sick more easily. Some studies show that people who lack vitamin D are more often attacked by infections, such as ARI, flu, bronchitis, pneumonia, and diarrhea.

6. Changes in mood (mood)

One symptom of vitamin D deficiency is mood changes. People who lack vitamin D will often look sad or depressed. This is thought to be one of the factors that cause why people who are deficient in vitamin D tend to get tired easily.

If not treated immediately, vitamin D deficiency can cause a person to experience a condition called osteomalacia. Whereas in children, vitamin D deficiency can cause bone disorders called rickets. This condition can make a child's body shorter.

In addition, vitamin D deficiency can also increase the risk of certain diseases, ranging from osteoporosis, autoimmune diseases, heart disease, diabetes, to cancer.

Steps for Handling and Preventing Vitamin D Deficiency

Symptoms of vitamin D deficiency can be overcome by always meeting the intake of vitamin D every day. The easiest way you can do is sunbathing regularly in the morning, precisely before 10 o'clock in the morning. In addition, vitamin D deficiency can also be overcome by increasing the consumption of foods containing vitamin D.

If necessary, you can also use vitamin D supplements to meet your needs for vitamin D. However, the use of these supplements should be consulted with your doctor in advance so that you can determine the dose that suits your condition.

If you experience symptoms of vitamin D deficiency, especially if you are rarely exposed to sunlight or have certain medical conditions that put you at risk of developing vitamin D deficiency, check with your doctor for treatment.

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