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Scurvy - Scurvy symptom, treatment, causes

Scurvy is a disease caused by deficiency of vitamin C (ascorbic acid). Inadequate vitamin C in the body causes defective production of collagen (an important protein constituent of connective tissue), resulting in weakness of the capillary walls, impaired healing of wounds. and defects in bone and teeth. Vitamin C also plays an important role in absorption of iron from the bowel, so long-term eficiency leads to ANAEMIA.

Scurvy is rare now that the importance of vitamin C is recognised, but is still sometimes seen in people whose diets are very poor because of poverty, debility or alcoholism, and in such cases is often associated with other vitamin deficiencies. Body stores of vitamin C delay the onset of scurvy until 3 to 6 months after the diet becomes deficient.

Scurvy is a condition characterized by general weakness, anemia , gum disease (gingivitis), and skin hemorrhages resulting from a lack of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) in the diet. Scurvy is now most frequently seen in older, malnourished adults, and is rare in the United States. It is caused by a dietary lack of vitamin C (ascorbic acid), a nutrient found in many fresh fruits and vegetables, particularly the citrus fruits. Vitamin C vital in maintaining healthy tissue , bones and teeth, as well as aiding the body's absorption of iron and helping to heal any wounds. Before it was realised that the vitamin was so important, scurvy was common in seamen on long voyages, living on a diet of salt pork and sea biscuits.Scurvy is treated with daily vitamin C (ascorbic acid) tablets. Symptoms usually improve quickly. Ascorbic acid is important in the formation of collagen (an element of normal tissues), and any deficiency interferes with normal tissue synthesis.

Scurvy is, perhaps, the oldest known deficiency disease. Although it's easily corrected with supplements, it can cause a number of alarming symptoms. Vitamin C is essential for healthy connective tissue, bones, and teeth, and without it these tissues become weak and easily damaged. Vitamin C also plays an important role in the healing process, so people with a deficiency find that wounds and burns are slow to heal. There are two forms of scurvy adult and infantile. The scientific name of vitamin C, ascorbic acid, is derived from the Latin name of scurvy, scorbutus. Scurvy leads to the formation of liver spots on the skin, spongy gums, and bleeding from all mucous membranes . The spots are most abundant on the thighs and legs, and a person with the ailment looks pale, feels depressed, and is partially immobilized. In advanced scurvy there are open, suppurating wounds and loss of teeth . For example, in 1536, the French explorer Jacques Cartier , exploring the St. Lawrence River , used the local natives' knowledge to save his men who were dying of scurvy. He boiled the needles of the arbor vitae tree (Eastern White Cedar) to make a tea that was later shown to contain 50 mg of vitamin C per 100 grams. In infants, scurvy is sometimes referred to as Barlow's disease , named after Sir Thomas Barlow ( 1845 - 1945 ) a British physician who described it.

Causes of Scurvy

The common Causes of Scurvy :

• Lack of vitamin C in the body.
• Alcoholism.
• Mental stress.

Symptoms of Scurvy

Some common Symptoms of Scurvy :

• Black and blue spots on the thighs and legs
• Swollen and bleeding gums,
• Depression
• Exhaustion and general weakness
• Tiredness.
• Partial immobility
• Nausea.
• Bleeding into muscles and joints , causing pain .
• Hair thinning.
• Loosening of teeth.

Treatment of Scurvy

• Vitamin C administered by mouth or parenteral route is effective in curing infantile scurvy.
• Orange juice is also an effective dietary remedy for curing infantile scurvy and was the standard treatment before the discovery of vitamin C.
• Another term for vitamin C, a nutrient found in fresh fruits and vegetables. Good sources of vitamin C in the diet are citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruits, berries, tomatoes, green peppers, cabbage, broccoli, and spinach.
• The daily amount of a vitamin the average person needs to maintain good health.