Most people are not aware of the recommended dosage and the potential overdose problems with vitamin D. Although rare, overdose of vitamin D can cause several neurological and digestive symptoms, but aura migraine is not one of them. Consult your physician before taking vitamin D supplements and ask your doctor to recommend a suitable dose.
Migraines With Aura
Aura migraines are those which are preceded or accompanied by a variety of temporary visual or sensory symptoms. These can include flashes of light, blind spots, numbness and tingling sensation in the face or body, muscle weakness and difficulty in speaking. Usually these signs appear approximately an hour before the actual migraine starts. The usual migraine symptoms, with intense headache, nausea and sensitivity to light and sound, follow. The cause of migraines, with or without aura, has yet to be determined.
Potential Prevention and Treatment
Migraines with aura are handled the same way as the classic migraines. Because the causal factors are unknown, the basic relief involves pain management and drugs to help with nausea and vomiting. Over-the-counter painkillers are common, but your doctor can prescribe triptans and ergons, which are stronger and more specialized drugs for migraines. There are a few preventive measures you can take as well if you have more than four migraines per month; antidepressants and anti-seizure drugs could offer some assistance. Stress management may also have preventive value.
Vitamin D
There is no doubt that vitamin D is a valuable nutrient. While it is essential for healthy bones and calcium metabolism, scientists discovered new unexpected benefits. A review published in the July 2011 issue of "Current Opinion in Nephrology and Hypertension" reports that vitamin D plays an important role in cardiovascular health, diabetes and hypertension. Despite the benefits, keeping your daily dose within the recommended range is essential. Hypervitaminosis D can cause several neurological and digestive symptoms. Toxic levels of vitamin D can cause fatigue, irritability, muscle weakness, decreased appetite and vomiting.
Treatment and Prevention
If you experience symptoms of vitamin D overdose while taking vitamin D supplements, stop taking them. According to PubMed Health, this will alleviate the symptoms and balance out the excessive amounts of vitamin D in your body. Hospitalization may be necessary for severe cases.
The best way to avoid vitamin toxicity is to keep your daily intake within the recommended doses. Linus Pauling Institute recommends 600 international units of vitamin D3 supplements per day for healthy adults. If you are deficient, only your physician can prescribe higher therapeutic doses while he monitors your vitamin D blood levels.
References
- MayoClinic.com; Migraine With Aura; March 2011
- Pubmed Health: Hypervitaminosis D
- MayoClinic.com; Vitamin D Toxicity: What If You Get Too Much?; Katherine Zeratsky; August 2011
- "Current Opinion in Nephrology and Hypertension"; Vitamin D and Cardiovascular Disease; S.R. Motiwala, et al.; July 2011
- Linus Pauling Institute; Vitamin D; Jane Higdon; March 2004
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