Symptoms And Health Risks Of Vitamin D Deficiency
Symptoms of bone pain and muscle weakness can mean you have a vitamin D deficiency. However, for many people, the symptoms are subtle.
Contents
D helps regulate the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body.
These nutrients are needed to keep bones, teeth and muscles healthy. People at high risk of not getting enough vitamin D, all children aged 1 to 4, and all babies (unless they’re having more than 500ml of infant formula a day) should take a daily supplement throughout the year. Information: There have been some reports about vitamin D reducing the risk of coronavirus (COVID-19).
But there is currently not enough evidence to support taking vitamin D solely to prevent or treat COVID-19.
What Exactly Is Vitamin D?
These are the nutrients our body uses to keep our bones, teeth and muscles healthy. ‘But recently lockdowns, home working and shielding may all have led to us spending less time in the great outdoors than we’d like.
Vitamin D Deficiency Symptoms
Many people have no symptoms, or may complain of only vague ones such as tiredness or general aches. The diagnosis is more easily reached in severe deficiencies with some of the classical (typical) symptoms and bone deformities. Symptoms in babies
Babies with severe vitamin D deficiency can get cramps (muscle spasms), fits (seizures) and breathing (respiratory) difficulties.
Their legs may look curved (bow-legged). Affected children might be reluctant to start walking. This can lead to muscle cramps, fits and breathing difficulties.
Symptoms in adults
Some people complain of a general tiredness, vague aches and pains and a general sense of not being well. In more severe deficiency (known as osteomalacia), there may be more severe pain and also weakness. Bones can feel painful to moderate pressure (often more noticeable in the ribs or shin bones).
Bone pain often also occurs in the lower back, hips, pelvis, thighs and feet.