You are not getting enough vitamin D to be healthy if you have vitamin D insufficiency. It is a global issue in general medicine. Approximately 1 billion people worldwide suffer from vitamin D deficiency, and half of the population is vitamin D insufficient. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency is particularly noticeable in the elderly, obese individuals, residents of nursing homes, and hospitalized patients. Fat-soluble vitamin D is essential for calcium balance and bone metabolism. Because it requires sunlight to activate in the body, it is sometimes referred to as the sunshine vitamin. Many difficulties, including bone weakening, fractures, joint discomfort, muscular soreness, and other issues, result from its shortage.
In this blog, we dive deep into the causes of vitamin D deficiency, symptoms of vitamin D deficiency, complications resulting from the deficiency of vitamin D, diagnosis of vitamin D deficiency, and vitamin D deficiency treatment Dubai by Dr. Barbara.
What Causes Lead To Vitamin D Insufficiency?
There are several causes of vitamin D insufficiency, including:
- Inadequate vitamin absorption due to low food intake or malabsorption: Vitamin D deficiency can be caused by several malabsorption diseases, including cystic fibrosis, short bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, gastric bypass, and chronic pancreatic insufficiency. The elderly are more likely to have lower oral vitamin D consumption. IV therapy for Vitamin D Dubai provides rapid absorption and improved vitamin D levels.
- Insufficient exposure to sunlight: 50%–80% of vitamin D is synthesized via the skin as a result of exposure to sunshine, with the remaining vitamins being obtained from food. The amount of cutaneous vitamin D production is lower in older people and those with darker skin tones.
- Liver and kidney defects: Because the liver and kidney are both crucial to the metabolism of vitamin D, any condition affecting the kidney or liver, such as liver cirrhosis, results in insufficient vitamin D levels.
- Drugs: Certain medications, such as dexamethasone, phenobarbital, and rifampin, contribute to the breakdown of vitamin D.
- Geographic regions: The risk of vitamin D insufficiency may be higher in places distant from the equator than in places closer to it because these regions receive less sunlight.
- Infants being breastfed: Since human milk contains little vitamin D, newborns are at a significant risk of developing a vitamin D deficit.
- Additional causes: Lack of vitamin D can result from being fat, spending most of your time inside, using sunscreen excessively, having weight loss surgery, etc.
Which Symptoms Can Be Examined In Vitamin D Deficient Individuals?
A person who is vitamin D-deficient may exhibit the following symptoms:
- Fatigue: People with low blood levels of vitamin D get weary easily. Low vitamin D treatment Dubai ensures safe recovery from fatigue, bone pain, and weakness.
- Illness: The immune system depends on vitamin D, and a lack of it causes illness at a young age.
- Bone pain: Calcium absorption and bone strength are significantly influenced by vitamin D. Compared to healthy individuals, those with low vitamin D levels may be twice as likely to experience bone discomfort.
- Depression: Depression and vitamin D deficiency have been found to interact closely, particularly in adults and older individuals.
- Slow healing of wounds: Because vitamin D is necessary for regulating swelling, redness, and discomfort, a lack of it causes wounds to heal more slowly.
- Muscle pain: There is evidence to suggest that a deficiency in vitamin D may be a potential cause of muscular pain in children and the elderly.
Vitamin D deficiency test in Dubai helps detect low vitamin D levels for early diagnosis and proper treatment.
Which Complications Result In Vitamin D Deficiency?
Complications from severe vitamin D deficiency include:
- A low level of calcium (hypocalcemia): Low blood or plasma calcium levels cause tetany, seizures, and other problems.
- Hypophosphatemia: This electrolyte imbalance causes bone pain, weakness, and appetite loss, among other symptoms.
- Rickets: Children’s bones become weaker and softer as a result of severe and persistent vitamin D deficiency. Children who are vitamin D deficient exhibit many symptoms, including impaired development, bent legs, difficulty sleeping, and bone discomfort.
- Osteomalacia: Adults who experience softening of their bones and dispersed joints have poor bone metabolism as a result of significant calcium, phosphate, and especially vitamin D deficiencies.
- Cognitive impairments: Patients with anxiety problems, Parkinson’s disease, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease frequently have vitamin D insufficiency.
- Heart conditions: According to research, those who are vitamin D-deficient have a 60% higher risk of heart disease.
- Additional issues: A vitamin D deficit can lead to other consequences, such as osteopenia (low bone density), osteoporosis (bone weakening), alopecia areata (hair loss), hypertension, diabetes mellitus, immunological diseases, and more. Vitamin D injection Dubai delivers fast and effective results for severe vitamin D deficiency.
How Is Vitamin D Deficiency Diagnosed?
Your doctor will prescribe a Vitamin D blood test Dubai to measure the amount of vitamin D in your blood. There are two test types that might be recommended, but the most prominent one is the 25-hydroxyvitamin D test, or 25(OH)D for short. A specialist will draw blood from a vein using a needle for the blood test. For normal individuals, a level of 20 nanograms/milliliter to 50 ng/ml is considered sufficient. A level below 12 ng/ml indicates vitamin D insufficiency, as per by vitamin D test Dubai.
How Can Vitamin D Deficiency Be Treated?
For the treatment and prevention of vitamin D insufficiency, the recommended daily intake (RDA) must be met by food or supplementation.
- Foods such as certain fish (salmon), cod liver oil, egg yolks, Shiitake mushrooms, dairy products, cereals, etc., can provide natural vitamin D. Nutritional deficiency treatment Dubai addresses multiple vitamin and mineral imbalances effectively.
- Sufficient exposure to sunlight during the winter months may satisfy the need for vitamin D.
- Depending on your body’s requirements, doctors may suggest dietary and supplemental vitamin D sources. It is advised that people take oral ergocalciferol (vitamin D2) and cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) to meet their RDA for each vitamin.
COVID-19 And Vitamin D Deficiency
Sunlight exposure is necessary for the body to synthesize vitamin D. Vitamin D insufficiency is more common in the winter. Due to restricted transit and the quarantine scenario, patients with COVID-19 and other illnesses are at a higher risk of vitamin D insufficiency.
Vitamin D Deficiency Test Takeaways
A worldwide public health issue that affects billions of people of all ages is vitamin D insufficiency. Despite being known as the “sunshine vitamin,” contemporary lifestyles, insufficient sun exposure, low food intake, and specific medical disorders frequently cause deficiencies. Beyond bone health, insufficient vitamin D has an impact on immunity, muscular function, mood control, and even the risk of chronic diseases, including cardiovascular issues and cognitive decline. If a deficit is not corrected, it can result in serious side effects such as rickets in children, osteomalacia in adults, and heightened vulnerability to infections and fractures.
Fortunately, a healthy diet, supplements, Vitamin D replacement therapy Dubai, and moderate sun exposure can prevent and treat vitamin D insufficiency. Vitamin D levels must be regularly checked, particularly for high-risk individuals. People may greatly enhance their general health, resilience, and quality of life by placing a high priority on awareness, early diagnosis, and proactive treatment.
Schedule Your Vitamin D Deficiency Test Consultation Today
It’s critical to get expert help if you’re dealing with signs of vitamin D insufficiency, such as bone pain, exhaustion, or recurrent infections. Vitamin D deficiency is a condition that Dr. Barbara specializes in identifying and treating with individualized treatment, dietary recommendations, vitamin D supplements Dubai, and lifestyle modifications. Serious side effects, including osteoporosis, rickets, and cardiovascular issues, can be avoided with early detection.
Today, take charge of your health. To get your vitamin D levels checked, talk about your symptoms, and obtain a thorough treatment plan intended to promote long-term health, schedule an appointment with an endocrinologist for Vitamin D issues Dubai, Dr. Barbara.