This article talks about Vitamin D deficiency. It also tells the dangers as well as how to prevent Vitamin D deficiency.

Consequences of Vitamin D Deficiency

From the time we were little we were always told to drink our milk so we got our correct amount of Vitamin D. While we still are aware of this need in our body today, many of us don't get the correct amount of Vitamin D leading to a Vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D deficiency can causes diseases such as rickets, osteoporosis and ostemalacia. Rickets is a serious disease that occurs in children up to two years of age. Rickets will cause the bones to have a reduced calcification (lack of calcium) when they should be doing the most growing. One of the most common symptoms of rickets is failure to grow, as they should. Other symptoms may be bone deformity, muscular hypotonia and hypo-calcemia, which can possibly cause convulsions.

Other Problems From Vitamin D Deficiency

Other problems can occur from Vitamin D deficiency such as a higher alkaline phosphates concentration in serum. This can result in the bones becoming deformed. Some of the bone deformities that might be noticed are legs becoming curved, deformed pelvis and pigeon chest. In young children, it may affect them by slowing down their walking as teething. If you feel your children are slower than normal in these milestones in their lives, contact your doctor to determine if there is a Vitamin D deficiency or some other deficiency.

Vitamin D Deficiency Can Affect Everyone

Vitamin D deficiency can affect adults as well as children. Although many adults aren't aware of this, adults need Vitamin D just as much as young children do. When adults are Vitamin D deficient, it is referred to as osteomalacia. This problem occurs more often in women that are pregnant or nursing. This is usually when they need more Vitamin D because so much is going to the baby. Although osteomalacia and rickets are not considered a public health problem in India, they are both very prevalent there. Osteoporosis is another health problem that can develop from a Vitamin D deficiency. This most often occurs with elderly or postmenopausal women that are not getting the required amount of calcium in their bodies due to hormonal changes. Doctors will usually recommend Vitamin D and calcium supplements for these individuals.

Vitamin D deficiency is Being Corrected

Although is still occurring in some individuals, it's not near as common as it was years ago. One reason is that we are more aware now of your needs. Another reason is that there are many health care programs designed for mothers and children. These programs not only provide treatments but also provide them with healthy foods such as milk, cereal and dairy products. Although Vitamin D should be taken in any form possible, it is wiser to have your children get it from natural means like dairy products and plenty of sunshine rather than from a supplement.