Nutritional deficiencies can lead to impaired absorption of certain vitamins. The lack of proper absorption of vitamins can lead to vitamin deficiency. Vitamin deficiencies affect different parts of the body and can cause both short-term and long-term symptoms, some of which are reversible and others that can lead to fatal complications.
Vitamin D Deficiency
Vitamin D is needed to maintain the proper growth and development of your bones. Without vitamin D, calcium cannot metabolize fully in the body, which can lead to calcium deficiency. Vitamin D is normally obtained through exposure to sunlight, although certain foods such as dairy products and fortified cereals may contain vitamin D. People who have digestive problems, are malnourished or don't get enough sunlight may develop vitamin D deficiency.
Symptoms
Vitamin D deficiency causes a condition known as rickets. Rickets causes the skeletal system to be deformed and the bones to bow in the legs. People with vitamin D deficiency may have muscle or bone aches, bowed legs, pushed out chest -- pigeon chest -- deformed spine and leg pain. People who have had long-term vitamin D deficiency may require corrective surgery to correct any deformed bones.
Treatments
If you are indoors a lot, vitamin D deficiency may be treated by gaining more exposure to sunlight. It can also be treated by using vitamin D supplements. Before trying to treat yourself, see a physician to make sure you have vitamin D deficiency; he will prescribe a supplement or tell you how much to take over-the-counter. Over-the-counter vitamin D supplements are included in multivitamins or can be taken separately as a chewable or time-released tablet.
Considerations
Although you may be tempted to correct the deficiency yourself by taking lots of vitamin D supplements, do not. Taking too much vitamin D at one time can lead to vitamin D toxicity, which can cause symptoms such as headache, irritability, nausea and weight loss. If the toxicity is severe, symptoms such as anxiety, weakness, excessive thirst, weakness and itching may occur. Long-term vitamin D toxicity cause a condition known as hypercalcemia, which causes a large amount to calcium to be present in the blood.
