Vitamin B12 is a B vitamin that is essential to good health. It is the vitamin that helps the body produce a normal blood cell count. When an individual has a vitamin B12 deficiency it is normally caused by a diet that doesn’t include enough of the vitamin. It can also be caused by certain disease’s such as Crohn’s Disease, which can limit the amount of B12 that is absorbed by the body. Most people do not realize that in order to have a healthy B12 count to maintain good health, they need to eat foods that are rich in it.
One of the symptoms of a vitamin B12 deficiency might be a feeling of fatigue. There may also be gastro-intestinal problems such as diarrhea, an ulcer in the stomach that is recurring or dyspepsia. The feeling of nausea may also occur, along with excessive gas and bloating of the stomach. There may be a loss of weight or even a weight gain, as the symptoms vary among each person suffering from a B12 deficiency. A physician should be consulted if the person is suffering from any of the mentioned symptoms.
A simple blood test can tell if the patient is lacking in vitamin B12. A B12 deficiency can lead to dangerous health problems if left untreated. The person may begin to feel a numbness and tingling sensation in their hands and feet, along with dizziness. Because a B12 deficiency affects the cells in the body , a deficiency can lead to health problems with the kidneys, liver and gastro-intestinal tract.
Following a healthy diet will help ward off a vitamin B12 deficiency. Vegetarians are likely to come down with a lack of B12 because most vegetables do not contain B12, or if they do it is in very minute amounts that do not give the person the recommended daily requirement of B12. vegetarians need to make sure they add folic acid and other vitamins to their diet to ensure they are getting enough vitamin B12.
If a person becomes anemic because of a vitamin B12 deficiency they may be given folic acid to try and correct the condition. Often times the individual may need to have injections of vitamin B12 to get the levels of it in their blood system quickly. This may be an ongoing treatment if the levels of B12 do not stay in a safe range.
A more severe type of anemia that may be diagnosed when there is a lack of vitamin B12 is called Pernicious Anemia. This is a very common condition caused by a lack of B12 and can become serious if not properly treated by a physician. Most people suffering from this type of anemia are over the age of fifty, but there have been cases of children having it also. Most often it is caused by the individual suffering from another ailment that doesn’t allow their body to absorb the vitamin’s from the food they eat, even if they consume a very healthy vitamin enriched diet.
If you have symptoms of a vitamin B12 deficiency you should seek advice from a physician that can test your blood for the condition. If you are a vegetarian and have any of the symptoms it is extremely important to seek the advise of your doctor. Because most people receive the daily recommended amount through their diet, if you do not eat foods such as eggs, dairy products and meat, you may be at a higher risk for developing anemia caused by a B12 deficiency.
Also at risk for a vitamin B12 deficiency are those that suffer from diseases such as Crohn’s disease, Ulcerative Colitis, or any other disease that does not allow proper absorption of the food you eat. If you have had stomach surgery or surgery on your intestines you may also be at a higher risk for anemia caused by a B12 deficiency. Celiac disease or parasites can also lead to this condition.