Vitamin B12 deficiency: Signs of this deficiency to spot on your body
Vitamin B12 deficiency can have a severe impact on your health. The deficiency of this vitamin can have a range of symptoms; from numbness and tingling sensation in the feet to diarrhoea, vomiting and blurry vision. Read on to know the symptoms of the deficiency of the vitamin you can spot on your body. Also, it is important to seek medical attention if you spot these symptoms.
What is Vitamin B12 Deficiency?
What is Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Vitamin B12 deficiency happens when your body doesn’t get enough vitamin B12. This vitamin is crucial for your body to work well. It helps in making red blood cells, which carry oxygen throughout your body. If you don’t have enough vitamin B12, you might feel tired, weak or dizzy. Your brain might not work as it should, causing memory problems or trouble concentrating. Sometimes, it can also lead to tingling sensations in your hands and feet. Eating foods rich in vitamin B12 or taking supplements can prevent such issues.
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What happens when your body doesn’t have sufficient Vitamin B12?
What happens when your body doesnt have sufficient Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is an important nutrient that your body needs to stay healthy. It’s crucial for making red blood cells, which carry oxygen around your body. This vitamin also plays a big role in keeping your brain and nervous system working properly. You can find vitamin B12 in various foods like meat, fish, eggs and dairy products. Some people may need to take supplements if they don’t get enough B12 from their diet, especially those who follow strict vegetarian or vegan diets.
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Signs of vitamin B12 deficiency
Signs of vitamin B12 deficiency
Vitamin B12 deficiency can show warning signs in your body. Feeling tired or weak, having trouble concentrating, or having memory problems could signal a lack of this important vitamin. Here are some of the symptoms of Vitamin B12 deficiency, according to Cleveland Clinic. Feeling very tired or weak, experiencing nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea, not feeling as hungry as usual, weight loss, having a sore mouth or tongue and having yellowish skin are some of the symptoms. Neurological symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency can include numbness or tingling in your hands and feet, vision problems, having a hard time remembering things or getting confused easily and having a difficult time walking or speaking like you usually do. Psychological symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency are feeling depressed, feeling irritable, and experiencing a change in the way you feel and behave.
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Numbness and tingling sensations
Numbness and tingling sensations
This happens when your body lacks enough of vitamin B12, which is crucial for maintaining healthy nerves. Without enough Vitamin B12, the protective covering of your nerves can become damaged which causes numbness and tingling. These symptoms may start gradually and worsen over time if the deficiency isn’t addressed.
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Having a sore mouth or tongue
Having a sore mouth or tongue
When your body lacks enough of vitamin B12, it can lead to changes in the tissues inside your mouth. This deficiency can cause the tongue to become swollen, red or develop a smooth appearance. You might also experience pain, burning sensations or even develop ulcers. These symptoms can make eating and speaking uncomfortable.
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Having yellowish skin
Having yellowish skin
Yellowish skin, known as jaundice, can happen due to severe Vitamin B12 deficiency. When your body lacks this vitamin, it can affect the production of red blood cells, leading to a condition called megaloblastic anaemia. In severe cases, this type of anaemia can cause the breakdown of red blood cells, releasing a pigment called bilirubin, which can accumulate in the skin and turn it yellow. Jaundice is a serious symptom that requires immediate medical attention.
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Vision problems
Vision problems
Vision problems can arise from Vitamin B12 deficiency, impacting the optic nerve and visual pathways. This deficiency can lead to symptoms like blurred or double vision, light sensitivity or difficulty focusing. In severe cases, it may even cause optic nerve damage, leading to vision loss. Vitamin B12 is essential for maintaining the health of the nerves that control vision, so when levels are low, it can affect how your eyes function.
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Nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea
Nausea vomiting or diarrhoea
When your body lacks vitamin B12, it can affect the functioning of your digestive system, leading to these symptoms. This deficiency can disrupt the balance of bacteria in your gut, causing digestive disturbances. Nausea may make you feel bad, while vomiting and diarrhoea can lead to fluid loss and dehydration.
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Difficulty walking and speaking
Difficulty walking and speaking
Difficulty walking and speaking can be symptoms of severe Vitamin B12 deficiency. This vitamin plays an important role in maintaining healthy nerves, including those responsible for controlling movement and speech. When vitamin B12 levels are low, nerve function can be impaired, leading to problems with coordination, balance and muscle control. This can eventually lead to difficulty walking steadily, frequent stumbling or even paralysis in extreme cases.
