Vitamins and minerals are obtained through eating healthy foods daily. Vitamins and minerals work to keep every system in your body running efficiently while reducing the risk of developing health complications such as heart disease or cancer. People who are deficient in vitamins due to malnutrition or certain illnesses may need to take vitamin supplements to obtain these benefits. However, vitamin supplements are not without side effects that may result in result in stomach pain for some people.
Common Vitamin Side Effects
According to the Drugs.com website, certain vitamin supplements such as multivitamins or prenatal vitamins can cause abdominal discomfort as a side effect. Common side effects experienced when taking multivitamins are abdominal pain, nausea or headache. Multivitamins that contain the mineral iron may also cause constipation. Constipation is the inability to move your bowels regularly. Constipation may cause additional symptoms such as abdominal bloating, abdominal pain and nausea.
Vitamin Allergies
People with allergies to certain substances may experience an allergic reaction when taking multivitamin or vitamin supplements. Symptoms of an allergic recation can include nausea, rash, hives, difficulty breathing and digestive symptoms such as constipation or diarrhea. These symptoms can lead to a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is life-threatening and causes a drop in blood pressure along with difficulty breathing, which can lead to cardiac or respiratory arrest. If you experience any of these symptoms seek emergency care immediatly.
Considerations
Drugs.com states that taking your vitamin with food or a full glass of water can help decrease digestive discomfort. Follow the manufacturer's instructions on how to take your vitamin as different types of vitamins--i.e., liquid, chewable, capsule--may all have different instructions. Do not drink milk with your multivitamin however, since calcium can interfere with vitamin or mineral absorption.
Concerns
Do not take more than the recommended daily allowance of your multivitamin supplements. Taking more than the recommended daily allowance can result in multiple vitamin overdose. Multiple vitamin overdose can cause symptoms such as severe abdominal pain, severe headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness and fainting. Depending on the ingredients, overdosing on certain vitamin supplements can result in permanent nerve damage and even death in severe cases.
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