Deficiency Diseases

Deficiency means “lacking something”. Hence, for health, Deficiency Diseases are those which are caused by a deficit of certain vitamins, minerals, and dietary elements, that are necessary for proper body functioning. Deficiency can be of many types. E.g. Deficiency of Vitamin D leads to symptoms like malformed bones, porous bones, and spinal issues. On the other hand, Anemia Deficiency Disease is caused by to lack of Iron mineral. Another type of Deficiency Disease Marasmus is caused by a lack of protein in the body. Several other diseases are caused by lack of Vitamin A, C, B, E, etc.

What are Deficiency Diseases?

Deficiency Diseases are those which are caused due to lack of nutrients in the body. Nutrients can range from vitamins and minerals to Proteins and Carbohydrates. Any dietary imbalance will lead to either overconsumption or insufficient consumption, both of which are unhealthy. Thus, a well-balanced diet is crucial to a person’s overall health, as it comprises all the essential macronutrients such as proteins, carbohydrates, and fats, and micronutrients such as vitamins and minerals.

Causes of Deficiency Diseases

Following are the different causes of deficiency disease:

Lack of Awareness

As it’s said, “Little knowledge is a dangerous thing”, which is analogous to common folks having very little or no idea about a body’s essential nutritional requirements. Just having meals three times a day will satiate one’s hunger, but it isn’t sure to fulfill the requirements of the body.

Poverty

Poverty, malnutrition, and deficiency diseases are directly proportional to each other, meaning that they are interrelated. Thus, it’s common to observe malnourished people in a poverty-affected population.

Lack of Availability or Accessibility

Availability and accessibility of nutrient-rich food are influenced by several factors, as availability refers to the physical presence of nutritious food within the vicinity. Accessibility refers to the ease with which people can obtain and utilize nutritious foods.

Poor Absorption

Malfunctioning of the digestive system or any damage caused to it, either due to acute or chronic diseases, inhibits the absorption of nutrients, even when consumed regularly.

Medications

Certain pharmaceutical drugs (medications) interfere with the process of assimilation of food, thereby causing limited or no absorption of nutrients as a side effect.

Common Symptoms of Deficiency Diseases

Following are the symptoms seen in cases of deficiency diseases:

• Hair fall
• Fatigue
• Brittle nails
• Pale skin
• Rashes
• Bleeding gums
• Irritability
• Nausea
• Poor concentration
• Depression
• Shortness of breath
• Muscle aches and cramps

Types of Deficiency Diseases

Vitamins and Minerals are important nutrients required for the body to maintain proper growth and development. These are used by the body in minute amounts and are also called “micronutrients.” If they turn out to be deficit, then the body can undergo multiple problems.

Deficiency can be further classified into:

1. Primary deficiency
2. Secondary deficiency

Primary deficiency occurs when the body does not get enough nutrients from outside, whereas secondary deficiency occurs when there is malabsorption of nutrients within the body.

Vitamin Deficiency Diseases

Vitamins are organic compounds that are required by the body in very small amounts. They are not produced within the body, hence they are taken in through diet and medications. Vitamins are further divided into two categories: Fat-soluble and Water-soluble.

• Fat-soluble vitamins include Vitamin A, D, E, and K. These are absorbed within the fat layer.
• Water-soluble vitamins include Vitamin B and Vitamin C. These get dissolved in water.

To know more, refer to the article Classification of Vitamins.

Young children, pregnant women, and lactating mothers are at high risk of getting these deficiency diseases. Following is a table depicting the different vitamin deficiencies:

Vitamin	Deficiency	Common Symptoms
Vitamin A	Night blindness, dry skin, impaired immunity	Vision problems, dry eyes, increased susceptibility to infections
Vitamin B1	Beriberi (wet or dry)	Fatigue, muscle weakness, nerve damage, heart-related issues
Vitamin B2	Ariboflavinosis	Sore throat, redness and swelling of the lining of the mouth and throat, cracks or sores on the outsides of the lips (cheilosis)
Vitamin B3	Pellagra	Dermatitis, diarrhea, dementia (the three Ds of pellagra)
Vitamin B5	Pantothenic acid deficiency	Fatigue, insomnia, nausea, abdominal cramps
Vitamin B6	Pyridoxine deficiency	Anemia, dermatitis, cognitive dysfunction, convulsions
Vitamin B7	Biotin deficiency	Hair loss, skin rashes, brittle nails
Vitamin B9	Folate deficiency	Anemia, fatigue, weakness, difficulty in concentrating
Vitamin B12	Pernicious anemia	Fatigue, weakness, pale or jaundiced skin, cognitive issues
Vitamin C	Scurvy	Fatigue, muscle weakness, joint and muscle aches, bleeding gums
Vitamin D	Rickets (in children), osteomalacia (in adults)	Soft and weak bones, skeletal deformities, muscle weakness
Vitamin E	Vitamin E deficiency	Nerve and muscle damage weakened immune function
Vitamin K	Vitamin K deficiency	Impaired blood clotting, excessive bleeding

Mineral Deficiency Diseases

Apart from vitamins, minerals are a different class of nutrients that the body needs in order to function properly. Minerals are inorganic nutrients that include micronutrients such as calcium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, copper, and trace elements such as iron, zinc, iodine, and copper. A mineral deficiency occurs when the body doesn’t obtain or absorb the optimum amount of a mineral.

Following is a table depicting different Mineral deficiencies :

Minerals	Defficiency	Common Symptoms
Calcium	Osteoporosis	Muscle spasms, brittle nails, easy fracture of bones
Sodium	Hyponatremia	Headache, nausea, muscle cramps, seizures
Potassium	Hypokalemia	Muscle cramps, low blood pressure, excessive thirst and excessive urination
Iodine	Goiter, Hypothyroidism	Dry and puffy skin, unexpected weight gain
Iron	Anemia	Weakness, hair loss, pale skin, fatigue, shortness of breath
Zinc	Zinc deficiency	Slow healing of wounds, loss of taste
Magnesium	Hypomagnesemia	Poor memory, numbness, and tingling sensation

Protein Deficiency Diseases

Some diseases all under the category of PEM or better known as Protein- Energy Malnutrition. These diseases are caused as a result of deficiency of proteins and carbohydrates in the body. Few examples are Marasmus and Kwashiorkor. Young children, Pregnant Women and lactating mothers are most prone to these diseases.

To know more, you can refer to the article ‘Protein Energy Malnutrition – Definition and Classification‘.

Prevention of Deficiency Diseases

Deficiency diseases can be prevented by following a few simple steps:

1. Eat simple and wholesome food.
2. Avoid overcooking vegetables, as it destroys their nutritional value.
3. Include at least one fruit daily.
4. Maintain a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise and adequate hydration.
5. Avoid junk food.
6. Consult a nutritionist for a personalized diet plan.

Diseases such as flu and fever are inevitable. But it’s surely possible to prevent diseases caused by an underlying deficiency of nutrients in the body. Maintaining a balanced diet and having regular check-ups can keep deficiency diseases at bay.

Self-treatment is generally not advisable, and hence, if you suspect a nutrient deficiency, consult a healthcare professional without delay for early diagnosis and treatment.

FAQ’s – Deficiency Disease

1. What Causes a Nutrient deficiency?

Any nutrient deficiency can have different causes, but basic causes include inadequate intake, insufficient absorption, and increased requirement of a nutrient that is not met.

2. How Long does it take to correct Vitamin A deficiency?  

It takes approximately 2-3 weeks to correct vitamin A deficiency. The doctor gives high doses of Vitamin A for replenishing the body’s levels.

3. How can we Prevent Deficiency Diseases?

Deficiency diseases can be prevented by eating a well-balanced diet containing essential proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals.

4. Can Deficiency Diseases be Treated?

Yes, deficiency diseases can be treated under the proper guidance of a healthcare professional.

5. Who is at Risk for Mineral Deficiency?

Young children, pregnant women, and lactating mothers are at risk because they have a relatively greater need of minerals and are more susceptible to the harmful consequences of deficiencies.