causes of vitamin D deficiency symptoms of vitamin D deficiency side effects of vitamin D intake india4indians.com

What are the Causes of Vitamin D deficiency| Vitamin D | symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency | Side effects of Vitamin D intake

Vitamin D is also known as Calciferol. There is a group of vitamin D of which D 2 (calceferol) and D 3 (cholecalciferol) are chief required for our body. Calciferol may be obtained from plants whereas cholecalciferol is the naturally occurring vitamin D, which is found in the animal fats and fish liver oils. It is also obtained from exposure to UV rays of the sun which convert the cholesterol in the skin to vitamin D. vitamin D is stored largely in the fat depots.

Causes of Vitamin D deficiency:

• In adults, vitamin D deficiency may result in a softening of the bones known as osteomalacia. This condition is treated with vitamin D, sometimes in combination with calcium supplements. Osteomalacia should be diagnosed, and its treatment monitored, by a doctor.
• In people of any age, vitamin D deficiency causes abnormal bone formation. It occurs more commonly following winter, owing to restricted sunlight exposure during that season.
• Living in an area with a lot of atmospheric pollution, which can block the sun's ultraviolet rays, also appears to increase the risk of vitamin D deficiency.
• Deficiency is more common in strict vegetarians (who avoid vitamin D-fortified dairy foods), dark-skinned people, alcoholics, and people with liver or kidney disease. People with liver and kidney disease can make vitamin D but cannot activate it.
• Deficiency is more common in people suffering from intestinal malabsorption, which may have occurred following previous intestinal surgeries, or from celiac disease.
• People with insufficient pancreatic function (e.g., those with pancreatitis or cystic fibrosis) tend to be deficient in vitamin D.
• Deficiency is also common in individuals with hyperthyroidism (Graves' disease), particularly women.
• In children, vitamin D deficiency is called rickets and causes a bowing of bones not seen in adults with vitamin D deficiency.
• Vitamin D deficiency is common among people with hyperparathyroidism, a condition in which the parathyroid gland is overactive.
• Deficiency is also common in men with advanced prostate cancer. In one study, 44% of 16 men with advanced prostate cancer had decreased blood levels of vitamin D.

What are the Symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency ?

1. The most important change in this vitamin deficiency is an increased loss of calcium and phosphate in the stools. This leads to a fall in their blood level and hence not available for bone formation. Due to this reason, the children suffer from rickets and adults from osteomalacia.

2. Rickets occur in children between 6 and 18 months of life during the period of skeletal growth. The bones become soft and easily bent. Under the constant pull of the muscles, the joints lose their shape and are not able to function, as they should.

3. The disease is characterized by growth failure, bone deformity, muscular hypotonia, tetany and convulsions due to hypo calcemia.

4. In young infants there may be a marked softening of the bones of the skull. The head may be flattened on one side. Premature infants are more prone to have rickets.

5. The danger is great to darker skinned children who live in cooler climates. Breast fed babies are more likely to develop rickets if the mother is not on a well balanced diet.

What are the Side effects for intake of Vitamin D ?

• Too much vitamin D can make the intestines absorb too much calcium. This may cause high levels of calcium in the blood. High blood calcium can lead to calcium deposits in soft tissues such as the heart and lungs. This can reduce their ability to function.
• Kidney stones, vomiting, and muscle weakness may also occur if you have too much vitamin D.
• Vitamin D is stored in the body in fatty tissues and in the liver. An excessive intake is harmful and may result in anorexia, nausea, vomiting, thirst and drowsiness.\
• The patient may lapse into coma, while cardiac and renal failure may occur.
• The effects are due to hypercalcaemia produced by increased intestinal absorption and mobilization of calcium from bone.