Vitamin A deficiency. Symptoms in women, adults, children, causes, treatment, analysis, diagnosis

Deficit vitamin A - a condition that provokes various disturbances in the functioning of the body. Due to a lack of substance, vision deteriorates, the skin becomes drier, and other unpleasant symptoms occur. With an acute vitamin deficiency, the defenses are so weakened that the body cannot overcome even the most common cold.

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Vitamin A deficiency, the symptoms of which develop gradually over a long period of time, can be primary or secondary. The primary form develops with insufficient intake of the substance with food.

A secondary form of pathology, even with a sufficient intake of vitamin from food, occurs when the assimilation of a substance is impaired due to diseases of the internal organs.

Stages and degrees

Avitaminosis develops gradually with alternating manifestations of symptoms.

There are three stages of violation:

• at the first stage, the work of some organs is disrupted, while there are no specific manifestations, but the efficiency and tone of the body decrease, the ability to resist viruses decreases;
• for the second stage, visual manifestations are characteristic, the lack of substance is reflected in clinical analyzes. Signs of the disease are associated with a decrease in the body's defenses;
• the third stage is associated with a complete deficiency of a substance or a violation of its assimilation.

Symptoms

Vitamin A is involved in many important processes:

• ensures the normal development of the embryo and its nutrition, prevents the development of complications of pregnancy;
• normalizes the synthesis of hormones;
• prevents the development of diseases of the organs of vision;
• increases the body's defenses;
• is necessary for the integrity of the surface cells that form the skin, mucous membranes of the mouth, intestines, respiratory organs and genitals;
• strengthens bones, hair and teeth, maintains skin health, ensures its firmness and elasticity, prevents the appearance of rashes, accelerates wound healing;
• prevents the development of malignant processes.

Deficiency of vitamin A, the symptoms of which are very diverse, affects the work of almost all systems. First of all, eyesight suffers. The eyes lose their ability to adapt to darkness, this often leads to the development of night blindness. Xerophthalmia occurs - the conjunctiva and cornea dry out and thicken. This increases the risk of eye infections.

Also, on the visible part of the conjunct, the appearance of foamy spots (Bitot spots), which are the remnants of the epithelium, is observed. With the further development of the pathology, the cornea becomes cloudy, erosion may appear that destroys it. Due to dryness and ulceration, scarring and protrusion of the cornea occurs, the eyeball atrophies, the patient may go blind.

Vitamin deficiency also affects:

• leather. At first, it dries out, dehydrates and begins to peel off.

  

  Ignoring the symptoms can cause keratinization of the skin. In addition, the color of the skin fades, the premature appearance of wrinkles is observed, since due to a lack of substance, the regeneration processes are disrupted;

• lips. They dry out and peel off, the risk of cracking increases. The mucous membrane of the mouth also suffers, its dryness is observed;
• hair and scalp. Thanks to retinol, the normal activity of the sebaceous glands is maintained, the production of keratin is normalized. Due to the deficiency of the substance, the hair becomes dry, splits and falls out, their growth slows down, shine is lost, dandruff and itching of the skin appear;
• nails. With a deficiency of vitamin A, the nails become brittle and exfoliate, their edges thicken, grooves appear on the nail plate;
• teeth and gums. The patient's tooth enamel grows dull, microcracks appear on it, which leads to caries and tooth decay, the gums become loose and become inflamed.

A person who is deficient in vitamin A has an increased risk of developing inflammatory diseases. Since the state of the mucous membranes is disturbed, the infection easily enters the body and affects various systems. The substance is necessary for the synthesis of leukocytes, therefore, its lack provokes the ineffective work of protective ones.

Since vitamin A is involved in the production of certain hormones, when it is lacking, there may be signs of hormonal imbalance - lethargy and apathy, irregularities in the cycle, a set of extra pounds.

Patients with a deficiency of the substance do not tolerate even a common cold, minor ailments. They feel constant weakness, their sleep and psycho-emotional state are disturbed.

Reasons for the appearance

The main reason for the development of pathology in its primary form is insufficient intake of a substance into the body with improper nutrition or adherence to a strict diet.

In addition, food can lose nutritional value if stored and prepared improperly. In children, the main cause of the disorder is diathesis, as well as early refusal of breastfeeding. Also, the cause of the problem may be the malfunctioning of internal organs.

The secondary form of the disease develops when there is a violation of the absorption of the component in the gastrointestinal tract. The problem may arise due to diseases of the pancreas, cirrhosis of the liver, impaired outflow of bile.

The risk group for the development of pathology includes:

• patients with oncological pathologies;
• alcohol addicted people;
• pregnant and lactating women;
• people with imbalanced hormones;
• those who suffer from cancer.

Diagnostics

Vitamin A deficiency, the symptoms of which are quite specific, is not difficult to diagnose. To detect a deviation, it is enough to donate blood for analysis (2 thousand. rub.). The biomaterial is taken from a vein.

You may also need to conduct:

• biomicroscopy of the eye (from 80 rubles). The study is carried out using a slit lamp. The light beam emanating from the device is directed to the human eye and examined under a microscope. Ultrasound biomicroscopy is sometimes difficult to perform due to increased sensitivity to light, so an anesthetic is used. To assess the condition of the lens and vitreous body, drops are used that dilate the pupil. Examination of the cornea requires the use of a special dye, which is subsequently removed from areas that have not been affected by eye drops;
• dark vision adaptation test (from 300 rubles). During the procedure, a black cardboard rectangle is used, on which squares of different colors are glued. The study is carried out in twilight light, while the patient should first see a yellow figure, then a blue one. In this case, the doctor changes the location of the figures, thereby controlling the correctness of the answers. Dark adaptation is assessed by the time to distinguish a blue object (the norm is up to 30 s).

When to see a doctor

Since the very first sign of impairment is a decrease in vision in a dimly lit room, then when it appears, it is necessary to visit an ophthalmologist as soon as possible.

Often, it is this specialist who conducts the initial examination of a person with vitamin A deficiency. Signs such as dryness of the mucous membrane of the eyes, increased lacrimation, opacity of the cornea, a feeling of "sand" in the eyes should also be alerted.

Prophylaxis

Many foods are a source of vitamin A. Therefore, to prevent the development of pathology, proper balanced nutrition is necessary. From animal products, the substance is absorbed by 90%.

Vegetable sources of the vitamin should be consumed with fats (vegetable oil, nuts, low-fat sour cream). If products containing a substance are not available for some reason, it is necessary to take multivitamin complexes prescribed by a doctor.

Treatment methods

Vitamin A deficiency is a condition that requires adequate therapy, which helps to replenish the lack of a component and eliminate unpleasant symptoms.

It is carried out in several ways:

• correction of the diet. The patient needs to eat foods containing the substance in high concentration;
• taking medicines. This therapy fixes the problem in 2-4 weeks. The doctor selects the drug, treatment regimen, dosage;
• therapy of concomitant pathologies. A deficiency of a substance can lead to the development of dangerous diseases that need proper treatment.

When starting treatment, it must be borne in mind that bad habits can reduce its effectiveness. For example, smoking interferes with the normal absorption of the component. And the combination of vitamin and alcoholic beverages negatively affects the state of the liver, organ damage will be more significant than only when drinking alcohol.

In addition, patients taking cholesterol-lowering drugs should not take them at the same time as vitamin A. Otherwise, the absorption of the substance is impaired.

Medications

As a rule, synthetic drugs are recommended for patients who cannot eat well. In addition, modern people often lead a sedentary lifestyle, spending a minimum of energy.

With high volumes of high-calorie food, obesity can develop, metabolism is disturbed, and the digestive system suffers. In this case, it will be difficult to solve the problem of the deficiency of the useful component with the help of food products. Therefore, doctors recommend taking retinol pharmacy preparations.

Pharmacy remedies for vitamin A deficiency:

Name	Compound	Application features	Price
Retinol acetate (oil solution)	retinol acetate; vegetable oil.	The dosage of the drug is selected by a specialist. In this case, the maximum daily dose for an adult is 100,000 IU, for a child - 20,000 IU.	From 100 rubles.
Retinol acetate (capsules)	vitamin A; soybean oil.	The duration of the course of treatment, the dosage is determined by the specialist depending on the stage of the pathology, the tolerance of the drug. The therapeutic dose for an adult with an uncomplicated course of the disease is 33,000 IU.	From 30 rubles.
Retinol palmitate (oil solution)	retinol palmitate	The daily dose for an adult is no more than 33000 IU, for a child - 1000-5000 IU. The medicine is taken in the morning or evening after a meal.	From 300 rubles.
Aevit	alpha-tocopherol acetate; retinol palmitate.	The dosage and course of treatment are selected individually, depending on the age of the patient, the severity of the disorders.	From 30 rubles.

To reduce the likelihood of an upset stomach, vitamin A supplements are recommended to be taken with food. If you find it difficult to swallow the capsule whole, you can combine the contents with jam, applesauce, or other food. Liquid dosage forms of the vitamin can be consumed alone or diluted with juice or other beverage.

The therapy should be long and complex. In parallel, it is recommended to take zinc, alpha-tocopherol, riboflavin preparations. It should be borne in mind that with the combined use of vitamins A, E and C, therapy will be more effective.

The negative impact of free radicals on the organs of vision and the likelihood of developing ophthalmic pathologies will decrease, the body will be protected from premature aging, heart and vascular diseases, infectious and malignant processes.

Zinc will promote the conversion of vitamin A into its active form, accelerating its entry into tissues. The components are dependent and improve assimilation from each other.

During the entire period of treatment, the patient should be under medical supervision in order to monitor changes in the condition and, if necessary, adjust the dose of the drug.

A specialist consultation is a must for patients who suffer from:

• cystic fibrosis;
• diabetes mellitus;
• diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, which are accompanied by diarrhea;
• pathologies of the kidneys and liver;
• diseases of the thyroid gland;
• disorders of the pancreas;
• viral hepatitis;
• chronic alcoholism.

It should be remembered that the body is not able to excrete excess substances; in case of excess intake, it accumulates in a toxic dose.

Therefore, it is necessary to stop therapy and consult a doctor if the following symptoms occur:

• nausea, vomiting;
• headache, dizziness;
• blurry vision;
• muscle weakness.

Folk methods

An excellent folk remedy for replenishing the lack of vitamin A is mountain ash. It is recommended to use it in the form of jam, jelly, syrup, and also to be included in the composition of vitamin supplements in dry form.

Also effective is a tool for which you will need:

• snake highlander root;
• lingonberry leaf;
• forest raspberry;
• viburnum berries;
• Melissa;
• primrose.

The components are mixed in equal proportions, 6 g of the composition are taken and poured with boiling water (400 ml). It is kept in a water bath for 10 minutes, poured into a thermos and allowed to brew for an hour. Drink 40 ml three times a day.

A decoction will also be useful, which includes:

• viburnum berries;
• meadow clover;
• peppermint;
• knotweed;
• sea ​​buckthorn;
• peel of apples;
• thyme.

All ingredients are taken in equal amounts, mixed. Then 8 g of the composition is poured with boiling water (300 ml), simmered in a water bath for 20 minutes, then insisted for 30 minutes. Use the product warm three times a day after meals.

You can normalize the condition with the help of an infusion, for the preparation of which you need:

• black elderberry (berries);
• blackberry;
• mullein;
• dandelion (root);
• cloudberry leaves;
• Rowan;
• primrose.

The components selected in equal amounts are mixed well. Next, 7 g of the composition are taken, poured with boiling water (300 ml), left to infuse for 2 hours, and then filtered. Drink the drink warm three times a day. Single dose - 80-130 ml.

Other methods

Vitamin A comes in two forms:

• retinol. It is the most active and pre-purified form of the substance. The main source of the ingredient is animal food;
• beta carotene (it is also called provitamin A). The main source of the substance is food of plant origin.

Therefore, with mild and moderate severity of the violation, when there are no pronounced signs, proper nutrition will help to cope with the problem. The patient is advised to enrich the diet with foods high in vitamin A.

It is recommended to use as animal sources of the substance:

• beef liver;
• beef;
• chicken's meat;
• chicken egg yolks;
• cheese;
• fatty fish;
• butter;
• high fat milk.

From plant products, it is useful to use:

• carrots;
• leafy greenery;
• wild garlic;
• peaches;
• pumpkins;
• apricots;
• oranges;
• potatoes;
• cabbage (any varieties);
• melons.
• red pepper;

It is also found in large quantities in traditional spices: paprika, sage, hawthorn, curry, oregano, basil, and halloumi cheese.

For the normal assimilation of a substance in the intestine, an adequate supply of fats, protein and minerals is also necessary. When ingested, the vitamin is stored in the liver. In people who eat normally, about 90% of the substance may be present in the liver. Combining with protein substances, the component goes to that part of the body that especially needs it.

Possible complications

Vitamin A deficiency, the symptoms of which require an immediate response, can lead to severe consequences.

The patient is more likely to develop:

• dermatological diseases;
• visual impairment (may even result in blindness);
• dental diseases;
• atrophic gastritis, colitis, intestinal infections, pancreatic cancer, liver pathologies;
• erosion of the cervix, endocervicitis, polyps, adenomatosis, leukoplakia, decreased sex drive, infertility in women;
• mastopathy, oncological processes in the mammary gland;
• chronic bronchitis, lung oncology;
• frequent infectious diseases due to decreased immunity;
• insomnia, exhaustion.

In men, erectile dysfunction, accelerated ejaculation, and lack of sperm are possible.

Children with vitamin deficiencies develop slowly and grow poorly. No less dangerous is the deficiency of the substance for the developing fetus in the womb, since this component is necessary for the normal functioning of the placenta and is involved in the differentiation of the cells of the unborn baby.

The child is more likely to develop hypoxia, some systems and organs may be affected. After the birth of a baby, the development of the skeletal system may be impaired, the child is prone to frequent infectious diseases, and also suffers from dry skin, vision problems.

Vitamin A deficiency is associated with a number of serious health problems. Without a sufficient amount of this substance, the normal course of metabolic processes is impossible, defenses suffer, vision and skin condition deteriorate, and other unpleasant symptoms occur.

Everyone has a risk of developing a pathological condition. Therefore, it is important to eat right, and if the problem has already been detected, take the drugs prescribed by the doctor and follow all his recommendations.

Vitamin A Deficiency Videos

Signs and symptoms of vitamin A deficiency: