Feeling dizzy is one of the most common reasons adults see a doctor. Most often, dizziness is not the result of a life-threatening illness. Treating dizziness involves treating the cause, of which there are many. One such treatment includes vitamin B12 therapy.
Causes
Eye, ear, nerve, joint and muscle problems can all cause dizziness. Blood pressure drop or elevation and anxiety disorders are additional causes. A Vitamin B12 deficiency can also cause dizziness.
Causes
According to Dr. Timothy Hain, B12 deficiency is common in adults over the age of 80. Malabsorption, poor nutrition, vegetarianism, stomach disorders, alcoholism, medications and anemia can lead to a deficiency in B12 and thus dizziness.
Identification
Low B12 levels are detected through a complete blood count test. The range of normal levels is 200 to 900 pg/ml, according to the National Institutes of Health. The test is often done if there is weakness, numbness and tingling in the arms and legs; loss of balance; and dizziness.
Options
B12 can be administered orally in doses of 1 to 2 mg tablets daily. Monthly injections are also given, with the first dose at 1000 ug, and subsequent doses at 100 ug. Nasal B12 is also an option.
Considerations
The liver can store enough B12 needed for two years, so it may take that long for a deficiency to be noted. Aside from vegans and those with underlying conditions most people have a three- to five-year B12 supply in their body, the Southern Cross Healthcare website reports.
Symptoms
Along with dizziness, symptoms of a B12 deficiency include pale skin, hearing problems, fatigue, shortness of breath, weight loss, depression, anxiety, hallucinations and optic nerve damage.
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