Vitamin B12 deficiency: symptoms and treatment

It is possible that we do not feel any type of pain or signal that indicates the lack of this vitamin in our body. When symptoms appear, we can identify the following ailments:

• Diarrhea or constipation
• Tiredness, lack of energy and dizziness.
• Paleness along with a feeling of drowsiness.
• Palpitations Unpleasant feeling of heartbeat.
• Hematomas.
• Breathing difficulties.
• Swollen tongue and bleeding gums.
• Difficult to focus.

Symptoms associated with a vitamin B12 deficiency for a long time :

• Depression.
• Loss of balance
• Tingling sensation in extremities.

The goal of treatment is to increase the oxygen carried by the blood in the red blood cells.

• When someone suffers from a vitamin B12 deficiency, it is common to treat by periodic injections of this vitamin. This therapy fights anemia and if done with the right time it fights neurological complications. Depending on the level of anemia, the injections will be given more frequently.
• In addition to regular injections, your doctor may recommend taking oral vitamin B12 supplements .

An adequate diet is essential to combat the deficit of vitamin B12 and allows us to benefit from its properties . The foods that can provide us with this vitamin are:

• Meat . Especially red meat, since they contain a high level of vitamin B12. Cow and pork liver is where you get the most amount of this vitamin.
• Chicken . In addition to containing vitamin B12, it is low in fat.
• Egg . Also rich in vitamin B12.
• Dairy . Products such as yogurt and milk provide us with vitamin B12 and help fight bacteria that are harmful to the intestine.
• Fish . Rich in vitamin B12 and omega 3.
• Vegetables . They have a lower level of vitamin B12 but are very useful for vegetarians.

To produce hemoglobin it is necessary for our body to have the adequate amount of iron. There are foods that facilitate the absorption of iron by our body, such as:

• Spinach and other vegetables .
• Dried fruits : plums, raisins, etc.
• Iron-fortified cereals and breads
• Legumes : lentils, chickpeas, beans, soy. They are the legumes that contain the highest level of iron.
• Seafood : Clams, mussels, cockles and oysters. The disadvantage of these products is that they are expensive.

Other foods that help prevent vitamin B12 deficiency are vegetables and fruits rich in vitamin C, as they help the body absorb iron. Different foods that contain this vitamin are oranges, grapefruits, tangerines and other fruits. Vegetables rich in vitamin C are Brussels sprouts, tomatoes, cabbage, broccoli, bell peppers, and spinach.Cases in which surgery is needed

When you are anemic and severe bleeding occurs, surgery may be the only way to control the bleeding . There are also cases in which if the body is eliminating red blood cells very quickly, it is necessary to remove the spleen, responsible for destroying red blood cells. When the spleen is diseased it removes red blood cells causing anemia.

The main initial problem of people suffering from anemia is the possibility of not feeling any symptoms , so the existence of the disease is not known. To detect it before these symptoms are revealed we must carry out a blood test, so it is advisable to go to the doctor every so often . Also, if we notice any discomfort and want to make sure what it is, do not hesitate to consult your doctor.

To avoid within our possibilities a vitamin B12 deficiency, we must take into account the following steps:

• Follow a balanced diet combining all the foods we need.
• Perform physical exercise to keep our body healthy.
• Get regular blood tests .

This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.

If you want to read more articles similar to Vitamin B12 deficiency: symptoms and treatment , we recommend that you enter our Immune system category .