B12 deficiency can be serious

There is rising concern that current tests for B12 deficiency are not sensitive enough. The can have serious consequences considering that B12 deficiency has been linked with dementia, peripheral neuropathy and spinal cord disease. It is believed that 20% of elderly people are deficient in B12 for which treatment is a simple table taken daily. B12 deficiency is often misdiagnosed with multiple sclerosis as they can both have symptoms such as pain, vision problems, gait problems and their MRI's may also be similar. The abuse or use of nitrous oxide found in “laughing gas” anaesthesia and in whipped cream dispensers has also been proven to be associated with B12 deficiency.

Source: summary of medical news story as reported by Newswise

Related Disease Topics:

• B12 deficiency
• Dementia
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Spinal cord disease
• Multiple sclerosis

Related Symptom Topics:

• Vision problems
• Gait problems

Article Source Details

About: B12 deficiency can be serious

Date: 27 October 2004

Source: Newswise

URL: http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/507970/

Related Medical Topics

This summary article refers to the following medical categories:

• Misdiagnosis (type of Medical misadventure)
• Misdiagnosis of multiple sclerosis
• Misdiagnosis of dementia
• Misdiagnosis of B12 deficiency
• Misdiagnosis of peripheral neuropathy
• Misdiagnosis of spinal cord disease
• Misdiagnosis of vision problems
• Misdiagnosis of gait problems

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