●    Sensory Problems: This condition can cause patients to experience numbness or tingling in the extremities. Other patients may develop a loss of taste or smell.

●    Depression, Dementia or Psychosis: Vitamin B can cause a change in a patient’s mental state, including mood disturbances or depression, confusion or dementia, and, in severe cases, even psychosis. According to Harvard Health, other patients can develop paranoia and delusions.

●    Incontinence: Many vitamin B deficient patients lose control of their bladder and/or bowels. In other patients, diarrhea or constipation can be symptoms of a deficiency.

●    Chronic Fatigue: Patients who are vitamin B deficient often report a feeling of chronic fatigue, lack of energy, or a sense of light-headedness when standing

●    Swollen Tongue/Bleeding Gums:

●    Shortness of Breath: Patients with vitamin B deficiency report being short of breath after exertion or exercise

●    Jaundice: Patients with a vitamin B deficiency often develop a yellow hue to their skin, a condition called jaundice

●    Swollen, Inflamed Tongue: Vitamin B deficiency can cause the tongue to turn bright red and become swollen or painful, and may also cause bleeding gums.

What Can I Do?

For patients whose deficiencies stem from dietary causes, such as vegetarians, there are dietary changes that a nutritionist can suggest, as well as supplements that can be taken to boost vitamin B levels in the body. However, because this condition is often a secondary one caused by an underlying issue, it’s important that you work with your doctor to identify and treat the root problem. Vitamin B12 injections will help patients who are unable to adequately process this nutrient from their food.