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Jun 12
Vitamin D Deficiency In Pregnancy – Alarming Facts And Easy Treatment
Vitamin D Deficiency In Pregnancy is a very alarming condition for every expectant mother. This problem not only presents hazards for the child-bearer but also for the child in its prenatal stages.
Effects
This condition has many effects to both the expectant mother and the child in the womb. Here are some of the few problems that it can cause:
1. Ailments
Lack of this substance in the body can cause a variety of ailments like rickets, osteoporosis, psoriasis, hypoparathyroidism and pains or weakness of the muscle. This is because it is important in the processing of calcium and phosphorus. Plus, this also strengthens the immune system. So the insufficiency of this substance in the body can make a person more susceptible to other kinds of health problems. It is alarming to note that inadequacy of this can even lead to cancer based on the studies conducted by the Cancer Treatment Centers of America.
2. Neurological Problem
Other studies conducted in Europe showed that this can affect the development of the brain since this element plays a crucial part in making the brain work. Therefore, a lack of this will expose both to neurological problems. However, this will only manifest during the latter stages of their lives.
Treatments
To keep both the expectant mother and unborn child away from the hazardous effects that may arise due to the lack of this element in their bodies, here are some ways to treat or prevent this condition:
1. Moderate Sunlight
Moderate sunlight plays a key role in the synthesis of this substance in the body. So exposure to it can provide protection from the harmful effects of the inadequacy of this substance in the body. However, people who live in close proximity to the equator should very careful during this process because they may get more than the required amount of sunlight for their body, which can cause other kinds of problems. So it is advisable for them to only go out during the early hours of the morning so as not to get too much of it.
2. Keep Away from Smog
Smog contains chemicals and organic volatile compounds that can affect the synthesis of this thing in the body, so they must keep themselves away from it. The same applies for cigarette smoke because nicotine also halts the processing of this element in the body.
3. Drink Milk
Milk is a good source of this substance. Drinking 8 ounces of this can give a person an average of 100 IU (International Units) of this element.
4. Dietary Supplements or Medications
Dietary supplements or medications that are rich of this substance should be taken by people who experience this condition in order to trigger the synthesis of this element in their body. The recommended dosage for childbearing mothers is 200 IU.
The condition of vitamin D deficiency in pregnancy can affect the expectant mother and the unborn child in many harmful ways like exposure to illnesses and neurological problems. In order to prevent these problems from happening, sufficient amount of this substance must be taken by the body in the form of enough sunlight, avoiding smog or cigarette smoke, drinking milk and dietary supplements or medications.