Scurvy

14 Nov 2024 11:23:27 am

Tags : Scurvy

Topic: Diseases

Why in the news?

A once-common ailment from the 15th century, scurvy, is making an unexpected comeback in the 21st century. Historically associated with pirates and sailors who endured long voyages without fresh produce, scurvy is now resurfacing due to a variety of factors.

Source: NDTV

About Scurvy:

It is a disease caused by a significant lack of vitamin C in diet.
Risk factors for developing the condition include:
- Not having access to fresh fruits or vegetables.
- Eating very little due to medical treatments that make you feel sick (such as chemotherapy) or an eating disorder (such as anorexia).
- Smoking, which reduces the amount of vitamin C your body absorbs from food.
- Having a drug or alcohol dependency that affects your diet.
- Having a poor diet during your pregnancy or while breastfeeding (chestfeeding).
- Having a restrictive diet or food allergies.
- Other health conditions such as type 1 diabetes and inflammatory bowel disease.
Symptoms of scurvy range from fatigue to bleeding gums. The first symptoms may include general weakness, fatigue, irritability and joint pain. If left untreated, more severe symptoms may start to develop such as:
Anemia.
- Swollen, bleeding gums that may become purple and spongy
- Loosened teeth that may fall out
- Bleeding under your skin
- Easily bruised skin
- Rough, scaly skin
- Swollen legs
- Opening of previously healed wounds and new wounds that don’t heal
- Dry, brittle hair that coils like a corkscrew
- Irritability
- Appetite loss leading to anaemia
- Failure to gain weight
Scurvy isn’t contagious. It is only caused by having a severe vitamin C deficiency.

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid):

It’s responsible for the development, growth and healing of skin, bones and connective tissue.
In addition, it is needed for blood vessels to function properly. It also helps maintain teeth and gums. It helps the body absorb iron, which it needs to make red blood cells. It also helps heal burns and other wounds.
It is an antioxidant, meaning it protects your cells against damage from free radicals.
- Free radicals are byproducts of normal cell activity which participate in chemical reactions within cells.
Certain conditions that increase the body’s vitamin C requirement include:
- Pregnancy
- Breastfeeding
- Disorders that cause high fevers
- Overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism)
- Chronic diarrhea
- Recent surgery
- Burns
- Tobacco usage