Scurvy – What is it, Symptoms and Treatments!
Scurvy – What it is, Symptoms and Treatments . In addition, scurvy is a deficiency disease (lack of essential nutrient), due to the absence of vitamin C in the diet. Scurvy is a rare condition that can develop if there is a lack of vitamin C in the diet. Vitamin C , also called ascorbic acid, is vital for the body as it is needed to make collagen.
Collagen is a type of protein found in many different types of tissues, such as skin, blood vessels , bones and cartilage, the material that covers the surface of joints. Without vitamin C collagen cannot be replaced and different types of tissue can start to break down.
Causes: The main cause is a lack of vitamin C in the body. The lack of this vitamin impairs the formation of collagen, which supports the skin, ligaments and cartilage, and chondroitin sulfate, which together generate the typical signs and symptoms of scurvy .
News of the week:
Rebound scurvy can occur when an individual takes excessive doses of vitamin C and then suddenly stops.
Symptoms: The main symptoms involve dermatological manifestations, spontaneous bleeding, inflammation and pain. We can highlight, for example:
- Gingival bleeding;
- Swelling with pus on the tongue or gums;
- Difficulties in wound healing;
- Instability of the teeth (loose teeth);
- Myalgia;
- Bone pain;
- Edema;
- Gingival hypertrophy;
- Depression;
- Mood changes;
- brittle hair;
- Teeth falling out;
- Joint pain;
- Weakness.
Over time, hemorrhages that occur as a result of capillary fragility can reach other parts of the body and even cause death. In young children, fed exclusively on sterilized milk, a kind of infantile scurvy can occur , with difficulties in ossification of the skeleton.
Treatments: The treatment is basically carried out through the replacement of vitamin C in the individual’s body. However, the amount can vary greatly from case to case and medical monitoring is extremely necessary.
The correct intake of ascorbic acid needs to be done for about one to three months. After this period many scurvy symptoms begin to show considerable improvement.
Although vitamin C is available for consumption in the form of capsules or tablets, for example, a balanced diet is always the best medicine. In order for the symptoms of scurvy to disappear completely and for the disease to leave no sequelae, a doctor should be sought out in the event of any symptoms.
How to Prevent : Maintaining good eating habits is a measure that works effectively in the prevention and treatment not only of scurvy but also of several other diseases.
Scurvy is a complication practically all related to poor diet , so it is through monitoring that the disease can be prevented.
Frequent consumption of fresh vegetables and fruits is very important. Foods rich in ascorbic acid are considered anti-scorbutic and should be present in everyone’s diet.
Acidic fruits like oranges , kiwis , tangerines and lemons , for example, cannot be left out to prevent scurvy . Red pepper, broccoli, potatoes and spinach are other foods that need to be eaten. A balanced diet is the main way to prevent scurvy .
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Note: The diagnosis of scurvy should be suspected whenever there is a history of deprivation of foods containing vitamin C. Scurvy can be confirmed by observing generalized osteoporosis or certain typical radiological signs in the bone structure of the affected person.