Vitamin B12 deficiency
Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Vitamin B12 deficiency is a condition characterized by low levels of Vitamin B12 in the body. It is also known as cobalamin deficiency due to the presence of cobalamin, a form of Vitamin B12.
Pronunciation
Vitamin B12 deficiency: /ˈvaɪtəmɪn biː twɛlv dɪˈfɪʃənsi/
Etymology
The term "Vitamin B12 deficiency" is derived from the English language. "Vitamin" is derived from the Latin word "vita" meaning life and "amine" from the Greek word "amino". "Deficiency" comes from the Latin word "deficere" meaning to lack.
Symptoms
Symptoms of Vitamin B12 deficiency can vary but often include fatigue, weakness, loss of appetite, and weight loss. More severe symptoms may include neurological changes such as numbness and tingling in the hands and feet, difficulty maintaining balance, depression, confusion, dementia, poor memory, and soreness of the mouth or tongue.
Causes
Vitamin B12 deficiency is typically caused by dietary deficiency, as B12 is naturally found in animal products. However, it can also be caused by malabsorption due to conditions such as pernicious anemia, celiac disease, Crohn's disease, and atrophic gastritis.
Treatment
Treatment for Vitamin B12 deficiency typically involves supplementation of Vitamin B12 through high-dose oral supplements or injections. In cases where the deficiency is due to a lack of dietary intake, changes to the diet may also be recommended.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Vitamin B12 deficiency
- Wikipedia's article - Vitamin B12 deficiency
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski