Vitamin B12 deficiency: A sign to look out for in your poo – and what to do next
DURING the winter Vitamin D supplements are recommended to boost the immune system to stop the body becoming deficient. This is because the body does not make enough of the vitamin from sunlight. Elsewhere, there are other vitamin deficiencies to be concerned with.
NHS advise on how to treat diarrhoea
Diarrhoea is an uncomfortable bowel condition and a symptom of Vitamin B12 deficiency.
Other symptoms of a B12 deficiency, other than diarrhoea include a pale or yellow tinge to the skin.
This also goes by the term jaundice.
Furthermore, the tongue may become sore and red and ulcers can start to develop in the mouth.
READ MORE: Visceral fat: The drink to shed the fat 'quickly' and burn calories at a faster frequency
Paraesthesia, more colloquially referred to as pins and needles is another symptom of a Vitamin B12 deficiency.
As changes in the way a person moves and sees with disturbed vision are also a symptom.
Mental health is affected too with irritability, depression, changes in a person thinks, feels and behaves on the NHS’s list of B12 deficiency symptoms.
With a decline in mental health, so does a person’s mental abilities decline including their sense of memory and judgement.
Shop Vitamin B12 supplements on Amazon from 99p up.
Although those symptoms sound terrifying, it will not always be the case that they indicate a B12 deficiency and can happen in those who have not developed anaemia.
They could be signs of other conditions too.
Diarrhoea is not just a sign of potential food poisoning but gastroenteritis (stomach bug) or norovirus.
This is a condition that is informally known as the “vomiting bug”.
Diarrhoea could be the result of a recently ingested medicine or Irritable-Bowel-Syndrome (IBS).
The NHS recommends that medical treatment should be sought if diarrhoea has blood or there is bleeding from the bottom.
If the diarrhoea has been continuing for more than a week this is also a sign to seek medical attention or call 111.
Once 111 has been called, they can provide advice and book an appointment should be decided that one is needed.
Even if it turns out to be nothing sinister or an easily rectifiable issue, then that’s fine.
The important lesson is that if there is something that doesn’t feel quite right then it should be checked.
Despite the stresses of the pandemic, the NHS remains open to help with any medicinal needs.
Any concerns about the nature of troublesome faeces should be directed towards 111 or contact your GP for a consultation.
Shop Vitamin B12 supplements on Amazon from 99p up.
This article contains affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission on any sales of products or services we write about. This article was written completely independently, see more details here.