Vitamin toxicity
Vitamin Toxicity
Vitamin toxicity, also known as hypervitaminosis, is a condition that occurs when a person ingests too much of a certain vitamin. This can lead to a variety of health problems, depending on the specific vitamin involved.
Pronunciation
Vitamin toxicity: /ˈvaɪtəmɪn tɒkˈsɪsɪti/
Hypervitaminosis: /ˌhaɪpərˌvaɪtəmɪˈnoʊsɪs/
Etymology
The term "vitamin toxicity" is derived from the Latin word "vita" meaning life, and the Greek word "amine" meaning nitrogen-containing. The term "toxicity" comes from the Greek word "toxikon," which means poison.
The term "hypervitaminosis" is derived from the Greek prefix "hyper-" meaning over or excessive, the Latin word "vita" meaning life, and the Greek word "osis" meaning condition or disease.
Types of Vitamin Toxicity
There are two types of vitamin toxicity: Acute Vitamin Toxicity and Chronic Vitamin Toxicity. Acute Vitamin Toxicity occurs when a person ingests a large amount of a vitamin in a short period of time. Chronic Vitamin Toxicity occurs when a person ingests more than the recommended amount of a vitamin over a long period of time.
Symptoms
Symptoms of vitamin toxicity can vary depending on the specific vitamin involved. However, common symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, hair loss, skin rash, and nerve damage.
Treatment
Treatment for vitamin toxicity typically involves stopping the intake of the vitamin causing the toxicity and treating the symptoms. In severe cases, hospitalization may be required.
Prevention
Prevention of vitamin toxicity can be achieved by not exceeding the recommended daily intake of vitamins and by avoiding the use of high-dose vitamin supplements without medical supervision.
Related Terms
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