Kathmandu, March 31

The number of patients suffering from Vitamin D deficiency is on the rise of late. From among the patients visiting the hospitals, some 20 per cent are found to be suffering from Vitamin D deficiency.

The doctors therefore have suggested people to stay in sunlight in order to minimise the risk of Vitamin D deficiency.

Increasing urbanisation and changed food habits have mostly contributed to the rise in the cases of vitamin D deficiency. In city areas, such cases are increasing because now more people in the urban areas are aware about this problem. However, government has no record about how many people are exactly suffering from this kind of deficiency in the rural areas. But according to researches, this problem prevails more in the children of urban areas than the children of villages.

The houses in the city areas are attached leaving no space for sunlight. In addition, the intensity of the sunlight too plays an important role. Pollution in the city has an impact on the intensity of the sunlight, according to Dr Khem Raj Bhusal, Consultant Physician at Green City Hospital, Basundhara.

There are nutrition and genetic factors too which play an important role maintaining required level of Vitamin D in human body. Fish, cheese and egg yolks, among others, are rich sources for Vitamin D. “There are number of people visiting the hospital with low level of Vitamin D,” said Dr Khem Raj Bhusal, Consultant Physician at Green City Hospital, Basundhara.

Anyone suffering from Vitamin D deficiency has weakness in muscles, abnormal contraction, muscle cramps, pain in bones. There are chances for bone fractures, according to doctors.

Vitamin D is necessary for the bone growth density, to increase immunity, to fight pneumonia. It also plays an essential role in maintaining bone health by regulating calcium concentrations in the body. Vitamin D deficiency can be associated with deteriorating bone health, and in severe cases, hypocalcemia, rickets, and osteomalacia in children and adults.

People suffering from kidney disease and liver problems have high chances of having Vitamin D deficiency. “The kidneys help in absorbing the Vitamin D. But when there are problems in the kidneys risks of Vitamin D deficiency increase as the kidneys can’t convert Vitamin D into its active form. When the digestive tract cannot adequately absorb Vitamin D, chances of Vitamin D deficiency increase. Patients suffering from renal problems and liver diseases therefore have lower level of Vitamin D when tested,” added Dr Bhusal. Patients taking steroids too have lower level of Vitamin D.

“Women after menopause are found to be suffering from Vitamin D deficiency because of the lack of estrogen hormone in them. Women are at high risk of suffering from osteoporosis. Therefore, they should be more careful,” advised the doctor.

People working indoors, having milk allergies or adhering to a strict vegan diet are also at high risk of Vitamin D deficiency, say the doctors.