Hypervitaminosis: causes and symptoms, by type

We need vitamins so that the body can carry out its functions properly. You can get vitamins from fresh food sources or from medicinal supplements. Even so, most vitamin intake is also not good. The condition of the body that mostly stores vitamins is called hypervitaminosis. Here's all the information you need to know about hypervitaminosis.

What is hypervitaminosis?

Hypervitaminosis is a condition of excessive vitamin buildup in the body that can cause poisoning. The symptoms that appear can be different, depending on what vitamins are in excess in the body. For example, excess vitamin A is referred to as hypervitaminosis A, whose symptoms can include bone mass loss.

What caused it?

In general, excess vitamins in the body are caused by excessive consumption of vitamin supplements - not from food sources.

Vitamins that are most susceptible to accumulating in the body are fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamins D, E, K and A. The reason is that these four vitamins can be stored in the body longer than water-soluble vitamins.

However, there are also cases of excess vitamin B6 which incidentally falls into the water soluble vitamin class.

The most common symptom of hypervitaminosis

Since hypervitaminosis can be caused by many different vitamins, symptoms can vary. Here are the details:

Hypervitaminosis A.

Hypervitaminosis A can be acute (occurs briefly; within hours or days) or chronic (accumulates in the body over a long period of time as a result of routine high-dose supplements). Acute hypervitaminosis is more common in children who accidentally ingest supplements.

Symptoms of acute vitamin A poisoning include:

• Sleepy.
• Easy to get angry.
• Stomach ache.
• Nausea.
• Gag.
• Increased pressure on the brain.

Symptoms of chronic vitamin A toxicity include:

• Vision changes.
• Swelling of the bones.
• Bone pain.
• Reduced appetite.
• Dizzy.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Sensitivity to sunlight.
• Dry, rough, itchy or peeling skin.
• Cracked fingernails.
• Cracked skin at the corners of the mouth.
• Mouth ulcers.
• Jaundice.
• Hair loss.
• Respiratory infection.
• Dazed.

In infants and children, symptoms can also include:

• Softening of the skull bones.
• The bulging of the soft part of the top of the baby's skull (fontanel).
• Double vision.
• Protruding eyeballs.
• Weight does not gain.
• Coma.

Hypervitaminosis D

Hypervitaminosis D is caused by:

• Take high doses of vitamin D supplements.
• Taking medications prescribed for certain conditions (high blood pressure, heart disease, anti-tuberculosis, etc.).
• Tan your skin with tanning bed.
• Having certain health problems.

Symptoms of hypervitaminosis D:

• Fatigue.
• Loss of appetite.
• Loss of weight.
• Excessive thirst.
• Excessive urination.
• Dehydration.
• Constipation.
• Irritable, restless.
• Tinnitus (ringing in the ears).
• Muscle weakness.
• Nauseous vomit.
• Dizzy.
• Dazed.
• Hypertension
• Heart arrhythmias.

Long-term complications from excess vitamin D include:

• Kidney stones
• Kidney damage or failure
• Excess bone fragility
• Arterial and soft tissue calcification

In addition, increased calcium in the blood can cause abnormal heart rhythms.

Hypervitaminosis E.

Hypervitaminosis E is also caused by excessive intake of high doses of vitamin E supplements, because vitamin E, which is naturally contained in food, does not cause poisoning.

Symptoms of hypervitaminosis E are:

• Bruising and bleeding
• Fatigue, weakness, headaches and indigestion

Hypervitaminosis K.

Vitamin K1 and vitamin K2 (the natural form of vitamin K) do not cause poisoning, even when consumed in large amounts. However, vitamin K3 (vitamin K synthesis) can cause poisoning, especially in children.

Symptoms of hypervitaminosis K include:

• Fatigue
• Jaundice

Hypervitaminosis B6

Excess B6 is caused by consuming high doses of the synthetic version of vitamin B6, namely pyridoxine.

Symptoms of excess vitamin B6 can include:

• Nerve irritation: numbness, muscle spasms or cramps
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Mood changes
• Damage to nerves: reduced coordination, balance, muscle strength, temperature and senses of vibration; burning or sharp pain; difficulty walking.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

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