Vitamin B-12 is a B-complex vitamin naturally found in animal foods such as meat, fish, eggs and milk. Vitamin B-12 is useful in the body for the production of healthy red blood cells and for the maintenance of healthy nerve cells. Vitamin B-12 injections are used to treat pernicious anemia, a condition caused by vitamin B-12 deficiency. Vitamin B-12 may also be used with other supplements to prevent lung cancer, according to MedlinePlus.
Lung Cancer and Vitamin B-12 Injections
Lung cancer is the growth of cancerous tumors in the lungs, the two organs found in the chest cavity that helps people breathe. Symptoms of lung cancer include fatigue, weakness, coughing, blood, shortness of breath, chest pain, loss of appetite, weight loss and wheezing. Vitamin B-12 and other B-vitamins may help patients with lung cancer have more energy because they help the body to burn glucose in order to produce energy. Vitamin B-12 also improves production of red blood cells, which improves oxygenation of tissues in patients with lung cancer. Research indicates that vitamin B-12 does not shrink existing lung tumors, according to the Mayo Clinic website.
Vitamin B-12 Injections
Vitamin B-12 injections are usually administered by the doctor. For patients with severe vitamin B-12 deficiency, the vitamin is administered everyday. Patients may be taught how to self-inject vitamin B-12. Patients should take all prescribed vitamin B-12 supplements in order to prevent complications. Taking vitamin B-12 alone for extended periods may cause deficiency in other vitamins. Patients taking vitamin B-12 to prevent lung cancer and other diseases also take other vitamins in order to balance vitamin intake.
Side Effects of Vitamin B-12 Injections
Vitamin B-12 injections may cause common side effects such as burning, redness and swelling at injection site, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and loss of appetite. Vitamin B-12 injections may also cause adverse side effects such as blood clots, rashes, hives, breathing problems, wheezing, chest tightness, swelling of the face and tongue and chest pain. Patients who experience adverse side effects after taking vitamin B-12 should seek immediate medical attention.
