Many people do not think of a deficiency in a vitamin could be the cause when they start having health problems. That is a wrong assumption to make. It is important to know that Vitamin B12 is so important in the proper functioning of the neurological processes. There are numerous symptoms that can happen when a body is deficient in Vitamin B12. The things that can happen are neuropathy, myelopathy, problems with gait, weakness, sensory problems, both behavioral and cognitive issues as well as dementia. Other issues can occur as well. These different things can show as physical symptoms with tingling and numbness, balance issues, memory loss and forgetfulness. They may also manifest with visual problems, tremors, dizziness and urinary or fecal incontinence. Psychological issues may also develop that might include paranoia, depression, hallucinations and other severe behavioral or personality changes.

Vitamin B12 deficiency affects the spinal cord by causing Subacute Progressive Degeneration. It affects not only the brain, but also the peripheral nerves and the nerves of the eyes. The myelin sheath starts to degenerate and then the nerves begin to degenerate. It is important to treat the patient in a timely manner so there is not permanent damage done.

Vitamin B12 is important in assisting your body to use carbohydrates and fat for both energy, and to produce protein. It is very important for normal cells, nerves and blood. Since vitamin B12 is such an important micro-nutrient, it is so important to make sure enough is taken in by the body. There are several ways to do this. First, it can be taken in by the foods that we eat. Animal products such as meat and dairy products, will contain vitamin B12. That makes it difficult for vegetarians to consume enough of this micro-nutrient. Therefore, it can also be taken in through supplements. Finally, Vitamin B-12 can be administered through a shot. These shots contain cyanocobalamin in high levels. This is a man-made version of the B12 nutrient. They can be administered by a doctor or they can be self-administered. The purpose of them is to quickly increase the levels of B12 in a body system that is deficient in this nutrient.

Some people have deficiencies due to medical issues or poor habits. These may include some of the following:

*People that smoke.
*People that drink.
*People that are elderly.
*People that take certain medications such as type 2 diabetes drugs and antacids.
*People that have endocrine-related autoimmune disorders such as diabetes or
thyroid issues.
*People that have had gastric bypass surgery can also be affected.

Advantages Of Taking B12 Shots

People with these conditions may have an issue because their body is not absorbing the micro-nutrients when taken through the mouth. For this type of situation, taking the vitamin through a shot might be the best option. They can be absorbed directly into the bloodstream. They allow the vitamin to go directly into the system without going into the stomach where it might not be absorbed properly. Taking it in this manner needs a prescription from a medical professional.

The goal of taking a B12 vitamin shot is to quickly nourish the body with the micro-nutrient. It would be the quickest way to do that. Therefore, if there is a serious deficiency, it would be the most efficient way to get back on the mend. There are however risks with any type of invasive treatment, and a shot, although pretty noninvasive, it still does puncture the skin. It can cause redness, itching or irritation at the injection sight. The injection may also cause some mild diarrhea. It also has the chance of creating the feeling of swelling in the body. There also can be more serious side effects, which could include an irregular heartbeat or severe swelling or tiredness. Obviously, these things need to be addressed and if things get more serious, then medical intervention is needed. It is important to remember that there is a low risk of toxicity since there is not an upper limit for the B12 vitamin.

It is important to not overlook the signs of a vitamin B12 deficiency. It can be a rather simple fix once it is recognized. Therefore, always consider this type of deficiency if there is a chance that it could be the problem when trying to determine the cause of any undesirable symptoms. Call us today at 205-352-9141.