Electric shock sensation is called Lermitte sign in medical terms. In this, you feel a sudden electric shock in your body. It starts from the spinal cord and spreads downwards to the legs or arms.
Do you also feel an electric shock while shaking hands with someone or while touching something? Sometimes this shock is so strong that people consider it a symptom of some disease. However, many researches have also revealed that the reason for such electric shock sensation can also be a deficiency of Vitamin B12. Let us know what is the truth in this?
What is electric shock sensation?
Electric shock sensation is called Lermitte sign in medical terms. In this, a person feels like an electric shock in his body. It usually starts from the spinal cord and spreads downwards to the legs or arms. This feeling occurs when a person bends his neck forward. It is also called 'Barber Chair Phenomenon'. This feeling can last for a few seconds and can be felt several times a day. Many researches have revealed that this feeling can be a sign of some disturbance in the nervous system. Nerve damage, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury or vitamin B12 deficiency can also be the reason behind this.
Why is Vitamin B12 important for the body?
Vitamin B12 is also known as cobalamin. It is a water-soluble vitamin that is extremely important for the human body. Vitamin B12 is very effective for the formation of red blood cells and a healthy nervous system. It helps in the formation of the myelin sheath that covers the nerves. The important thing is that vitamin B12 is not produced in our body. It is obtained from food and supplements. People with vegetarian and vegan diets are at a higher risk of its deficiency, because this vitamin is not found naturally in plants. An adult needs an average of 2.4 micrograms of vitamin B12 daily.
Causes of Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Many researches have revealed that more than 15 percent of people in India suffer from vitamin B12 deficiency. Most of these people are vegetarian. In fact, vitamin B12 is often found to be low in people who take veg or vegan diet. If someone has pernicious anemia, Crohn's disease, celiac disease or gastritis, then their body is unable to absorb vitamin B12 properly. Apart from this, with aging, the production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach may decrease, which is very important for the absorption of vitamin B12.
Vitamin B12's connection to electric shock sensation
According to experts, a deficiency of vitamin B12 can have a serious effect on the nervous system, as it is necessary for the formation and maintenance of the myelin sheath. In such a situation, the myelin sheath can be damaged due to a deficiency of vitamin B12. In medical terms, this is called demyelination. This condition causes a disturbance in the nervous signals, due to which a feeling like electric shock can occur.
Disclaimer: Some of the information given in the news is based on media reports. Before implementing any suggestion, please consult the concerned expert.
