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A little spot of real sunshine
In its worst form, vitamin D deficiency is a cripplingly painful and debilitating illness.
It is caused by a lack of sunlight, and pregnant women are particularly at risk. And anyone who covers their skin, which makes sections of the Asian community particularly susceptible.
Symptoms include muscle and bone pains which in turn can lead to stunted growth and weak bones, especially among children.
Now pioneering work by a consultant with Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust is offering great hope to sufferers.
And, at the same time, the success Vijay Bangar has had locally in treating 227 people has been followed on a national stage.
The treatment he uses, in its most simplistic form, involves treating patients with greater dosages of the deficient vitamin than would have previously been prescribed.
The case of 73-year-old Shah Begum from Halifax shows how well this can work.
She was confined to her bed, wracked with muscular pain. Yet after receiving treatment she is now back on her feet again.
Other less dramatic, yet equally positive stories have come from this work.
Vitamin D deficiency was highlighted as a problem in need of addressing in last year's annual report from the Director of Public Health.
How gratifying it is to know that this is being tackled so effectively. And that a treatment programme for the future is being formulated right here in Calderdale.
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Weather for Halifax
Friday 10 February 2012
Today
Light snow
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