Contents:
- Medical Video: Vitamin B12 Deficiency & Diagnosis : Greek Gourmet
- Who is at risk for vitamin B12 deficiency?
- Signs and symptoms of the body lack of vitamin B12
- 1. Pale skin
- 2. Tired and tired
- 3. The body is like a needle stick
- 4. Balance decreases
- 5. Glossitis and canker sores
- 6. Shortness of breath and dizziness
- 7. Blurred vision
- 8. Mood unstable
- 9. Hot body
Medical Video: Vitamin B12 Deficiency & Diagnosis : Greek Gourmet
Vitamin B12, known as cobalamin, is a vitamin that is very important for producing red blood cells and improving nervous system function. This vitamin can be found naturally in meat, fish, poultry, eggs, and milk. Unfortunately, vitamin B12 deficiency is actually common, especially in the elderly. So, what are the signs and symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency? Here's the full explanation.
Who is at risk for vitamin B12 deficiency?
Vitamin B12 deficiency is more common in the elderly (elderly). This is because the body's ability to absorb vitamin B12 from food runs slower with age. In addition, the risk of deficiency in B12 is also susceptible to being experienced by people with the following conditions:
- Underwent surgery that removes part of the B12 absorbent intestine
- Severe anemia which makes it difficult for the body to absorb vitamin B12
- Diabetics who take metformin drugs
- Undergo a strict vegan diet
- Take antacid drugs (stomach acid) in the long term
- Affected by diseases that affect intestinal absorption such as Crohn's disease, Celiac disease, and bacterial or parasitic infections
- Immune system abnormalities, such as Graves' disease or lupus
This can be overcome by consuming food sources of vitamin B12 or with additional supplements. However, you should consult your doctor first to get the best advice according to your condition.
Signs and symptoms of the body lack of vitamin B12
Symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency are usually not immediately obvious and take years to appear. Signs and symptoms to watch out for when the body is deficient in vitamin B12 are as follows:
1. Pale skin
People who experience vitamin B12 deficiency often look pale on the skin and the eyes. This is due to a lack of vitamin B12 which has an effect on the decrease of red blood cell production in the body.
Because the body is deficient in vitamin B12, DNA production becomes blocked so that the body's cells do not form or divide completely, resulting in megaloblastic anemia, which is when red blood cells produced by your bone marrow tend to be large and fragile. This results in blood cells unable to get out of the spinal cord and unable to enter the blood circulation. For this reason, the body does not have red blood cells and makes the skin look pale.
2. Tired and tired
The most common symptom of vitamin B12 deficiency is that the body gets tired even though you have slept enough all night. This is because the body does not have enough raw materials to make red blood cells that carry oxygen throughout the body. As a result, oxygen cannot be circulated throughout the body to the maximum and makes your body feel tired.
3. The body is like a needle stick
One of the more serious side effects of vitamin B12 deficiency in the long term is nerve damage. This happens over time, because vitamin B12 plays an important role in maintaining the body's metabolism by producing fat myelin. It is this myelin that surrounds and protects the nerves.
Without vitamin B12, myelin is produced differently and your nervous system cannot function properly. Common symptoms are paresthesias or needle pricking sensations, especially in the hands and feet.
4. Balance decreases
These symptoms are still related to previous symptoms. If vitamin B12 deficiency is not treated immediately, damage to the nervous system can cause interference when you walk and move.
When the nervous system starts to get disturbed, this condition can affect the balance and coordination of limbs so that it can make you fall easier. This symptom is most often seen in elderly people who are vulnerable to vitamin B12 deficiency. But make no mistake, this may also occur in young people who have vitamin B12 deficiency that is severe and not treated.
5. Glossitis and canker sores
One study showed that swollen and inflamed tongue with long lesions on it could be an early sign of vitamin B12 deficiency. This condition is called glossitis. If you experience a glossitis, your tongue changes color and shape so that it feels painful, red, and swollen. This condition can even make it difficult for you to eat and talk.
In addition, some people with B12 deficiency may experience symptoms of other mouth diseases such as canker sores, a needle pricking sensation in the tongue, or burning and itching in the mouth.
6. Shortness of breath and dizziness
Symptoms of anemia caused by a deficiency of vitamin B12 can cause some people to feel short of breath and dizziness. This happens when the body is unable to carry enough oxygen to all body cells. However, these symptoms can also be caused by many other causes. To ensure it immediately consult a doctor for a more precise diagnosis.
7. Blurred vision
Another symptom of vitamin B12 deficiency is blurred vision. This occurs due to damage to the optic nervous system due to lack of vitamin B12 intake. This condition is rare, but need to watch out for signs and symptoms.
8. Mood unstable
In fact, a number of studies have found that low vitamin B12 levels can be associated with mood disorders (mood) and the brain, for example depression and dementia. The theory shows that high homocysteine levels due to low vitamin B12 can cause damage to brain tissue and interfere with signals from and to the brain. As a result, sufferers experience changes mood unstable.
This can be overcome by taking supplements to help improve mood You. However, this does not mean that it can replace the treatment role of a doctor who has proven effective in treating depression or dementia.
9. Hot body
Rising body temperature due to vitamin B12 deficiency is very rare. The process is not known with certainty. However, some doctors have reported a decrease in cases of fever after patients were given drugs with low doses of vitamin B12.
It is important to remember that high body temperature is more often caused by certain diseases than vitamin B12 deficiency. Therefore, immediately consult a doctor for a more precise diagnosis.
