Feeling confused and weak is common in a period of fatigue or stress. But, when the problem persists, it may be useful to have tests. In fact, it is possible that the symptoms are caused by a vitamin deficiency. We understand why.
Symptoms of Vitamin B12 Deficiency
When our body feels the lack of important vitamins, it often warns us with exhaustion and weakness. For example, tiredness, shortness of breath and irritability could be symptoms of a folate deficiency, which sometimes results from a simple mistake in the kitchen.
Another deficiency that makes us very tired is that of vitamin B12. This causes a form of anemia known as pernicious anemia. Symptoms, in less severe cases, include pale complexion, weakness and fatigue.
As the situation worsens, other problems may add, such as wheezing and dizziness. Vitamin B12 deficiency could even damage your nerves.
The consequences of a nerve injury include mental confusion, dementia, loss of reflexes, tingling and reduced sensation in the hands and feet, muscle weakness, difficulty walking.
In order not to get to this point it is important to recognize the problem in time, with a blood test. But who is most at risk of suffering from vitamin B12 deficiency?
Weakness, shortness of breath and confusion, a vitamin B12 deficiency caused by very common drugs could explain these annoying problems
There are two causes of vitamin B12 deficiency: either you do not take in sufficient doses of this nutrient, or the body is unable to store or absorb the vitamin. The first case mainly concerns vegans.
The second case, on the other hand, is linked to various health problems, for example diseases of the intestine. But beware: malabsorption could also be the side effect of some medications.
In fact, not everyone knows that certain very common medicines risk making us lack important nutrients. Statins, for example, are some of the drugs that could cause severe vitamin D deficiency.
Among the drugs that would make it difficult to absorb vitamin B12, however, there are:
- antacids, proton pump inhibitors and H2 antagonists (used against gastritis, reflux, peptic ulcers);
- metformin (used against diabetes).
For those suffering from these diseases, therefore, beware of weakness, shortness of breath and confusion, a lack of important nutrients could be caused precisely by drugs. It is definitely recommended to talk to your doctor.
Deepening
Tiredness and breathing or heart problems could signal a vitamin deficiency that very few know about