What are the Symptoms of Vitamin D Deficiency?
Conditions
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Feb 7, 2023
Vitamin D is an essential vitamin for your body’s muscle and bone maintenance. It also plays a role in keeping your immune system and nervous system functioning properly. Symptoms of vitamin D deficiency include muscle weakness, hair loss, feelings of sadness or depression, lack of sleep, and aching bones.
The best sources of natural vitamin D include:
- Sun exposure
- Certain foods like salmon, dairy, and orange juice
- Nutritional supplements
Despite the nutrient being relatively easy to access, at least for those in sunnier climates, many people do not get enough of it. Vitamin D deficiency occurs when the body has low Vitamin D levels which can cause muscle weakness and a loss of bone density — and this is unfortunately a very common deficiency that can contribute to larger health concerns.
In order to avoid an insufficiency of vitamin D and to be able to spot it when it happens, we’ll be covering who is most affected by vitamin D deficiency as well as its symptoms so that you can develop your own plan on how to get enough vitamin D in your system.
Who is affected by vitamin D deficiency?
Vitamin D deficiency can affect anyone who does not get enough of the nutrient, including infants, children, and adults. However, older adults and people with darker skin are more likely to be vitamin D deficient because their skin doesn’t produce as much vitamin D when exposed to sunlight. This makes nutrition all the more important to get the vitamins that your body needs.
There is a lengthy list of certain health conditions that can make people more susceptible to vitamin D deficiency. This deficiency can also be hereditary, so knowing your family medical history can allow you to plan ahead if you know you may be more at risk for developing it.
What are symptoms of vitamin D deficiency?
What are the warning signs of vitamin D deficiency? Because this deficiency is so common, every individual could experience symptoms differently. If you have low vitamin D levels, you may experience the following symptoms which can alert you of a present problem.
Aching bones
Because vitamin D helps your bones absorb calcium, the essential nutrient needed for bone strength and recovery, a lack of vitamin D can cause your bones to become weaker and more brittle over time. Having strong bones will help you to avoid breaks and fractures and diseases like osteoporosis. If you need to know what to do when you break a bone, know that Complete Care is here to help you with any and all injuries.
Muscle weakness
Similar to bones, your muscles need vitamin D to function, grow, and develop properly. Vitamin D gets converted into a steroid hormone which builds up muscle protein. So, as you can probably guess, having a vitamin D deficiency can cause your muscles to become weaker which can result in a lack of strength and frequent muscle strain which can be dangerous.
Hair loss
If you want long, flowing, strong hair, vitamin D is essential. Daily hair shedding is a normal part of the hair’s natural cycle, however, if you notice an alarming amount of hair falling out (more than 100 strands per day, notice that your hair is thinning, or realize that your hair’s growth has stunted, you are likely experiencing hair loss. Hair loss, also known as alopecia, has been linked to vitamin D deficiency.
Your skin cells use vitamin D to process a protein called keratin which is used to help the growth of your hair, skin, and nails. Low vitamin D levels cause your hair follicles to shed even more since there are not enough nutrients to keep the growth cycle flowing. If you notice any hair loss, speak to a professional about what can be done to restore your vitamin D levels.
Feelings of sadness
Mood changes or feelings of sadness — and in some severe cases, depression — have been linked to vitamin D deficiency. As it is called the sunshine vitamin, many people who experience these feelings of sadness may not be spending enough time outside. This is especially prevalent in the wintertime when people can experience Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) from a lack of sunlight. Staying indoors for too long can have a negative effect on the brain.
Vitamin D is not a cure for mood swings or depression, but it can help ease some feelings of sadness that may be caused by low vitamin D levels in the body.
Low sleep quality
People who tend to get a lot of vitamin D often report getting better sleep. This is because vitamin D plays a role in your brain’s ability to produce melatonin, the sleep hormone that helps you to get the quality sleep you need to function. A lack of vitamin D in your blood can increase the likelihood of developing certain sleep disorders like insomnia that can decrease your sleep quality. Sleep is one of the most important things we can do for our overall health, so make sure to eat a dinner full of vitamin D-rich foods to help you snooze.
Think you may be vitamin D deficient? Complete Care can help.
Now that you have the answer to the question, “what are symptoms of vitamin D deficiency?” we hope that you can spot the warning signs before they become serious. We cannot stress enough how important vitamin D is to your overall health and well-being. It can help you avoid many painful injuries and aid in successful recoveries. However, if you find yourself with muscle weakness, broken bones, or any other type of injury, Complete Care is open 24/7 to help you.
We have ER locations across Texas and Colorado Springs that provide both pediatric and adult care for any emergency under the sun. With low wait times and hospital-grade facilities, we can help you get in, out, and back to life in no time.
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