Knowhow of Scurvy – A Fixture on Special Health

The name of the disease comes from the Latin word scorbutus. The disease has known to exist among humans, as long as we might have known citrus fruits perhaps. Biased of culture, if you may so, and understandably as well, due to the diet preferences and prejudices each has. The ancient Greeks and Egyptians suffered from it. What else to do with all the oil you find in Egypt, then support motor sports rather than letting some tribe bonfire over it for a few generations or years.

More so the sailors of yore, on their long voyages often perished from the condition. A reason why pickle, now a major American snack gained popularity in the first place. The fact that vinegar and salt kept cucumber fresh longer, almost forever, became a fact through serendipity. Modern cases of scurvy occur only due to extreme negligence.

We as humans are incapable of synthesizing vitamin C, which is an essential ingredient required for the production of collagen, and thus bring about the absorption of iron into the bloodstream. Thus, it is very important for us to keep getting our fix of vitamin C. That is why just do not laugh it off when someone concerned, tells you to eat your fruits and veggies. They may try to scam some money out of you, but they still mean good for you.

The deficiency of vitamin C in the case of a pregnant woman is specifically dangerous, as it may severely effect the fetus. The babies may be born with an underdeveloped brain. On a lighter note, you may tell the next humorously, presumably a retarded person you meet, that their respective moms did not eat enough oranges, and have a laugh about it.

The primary and predominant cause of scurvy is the deficiency of vitamin C. The secondary factors leading up to the primary cause are many. Shear negligence, widespread famine, restrictive diet, loss of appetite, a condition known as anorexia, which is caused due to the contraction of allergies and eruptions. Historically although, as we have mentioned before, scurvy was mostly associated with long sea voyages.

Although rare, one may still come across certain cases of scurvy, specially among the elders, alcoholics and those who are not in the habit of eating fresh fruits and vegetables. Likewise, children who are on a deprived or controlled diet, due to social, economic or medical reasons, are prone to developing scurvy.

Loss of appetite and subsequent weight loss my be among the initial symptoms of scurvy. Subsequently, with the worsening of the condition, one may experience diarrhea, breathlessness, high fever, short temperedness, a feeling of frailty and discomfort in the legs, swelling of the muscles over the large bones of our body, and even hemorrhaging and paralysis. The children suffering from the condition are known to get specially irritable.

The bleeding of the gums is symptom enough for the disease to be taken seriously. Consequently the teeth loosen, with the development of hemorrhage on the skin and mucus membrane of the mouth which may appear as small red spots. Bleeding may even be experienced in the eyes, with the subsequent development of proptopsis which is also known as a case of protruding eyes. A condition known as constochondral beading, which leads to the formation of beads on the cartilage between joints, hyperkeratosis which is a skin disorder, corkscrew hair, which speaks for itself and sicca syndrome which is an automimmune disease affecting the connective tissues of the body.

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Doctors foremost conduct a physical exam on the patient, in an attempt to look for symptoms mentioned above. The levels of vitamin C in the blood stream may be obtained using laboratory tests which looks into the levels of the serum ascorbic acid, present in the blood stream. Which is also known as the white blood cell ascorbic acid concentration. Ofttimes, certain radiological procedures may be called for, in order to confirm on the diagnosis, and moreover analyze the damage that has already been undergone.

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Providing the patient with vitamin C, may be safely said to be the only treatment possible. No we do not period at that. The dose of the vitamin may be administered either orally, or into the vein.

The treatment is as good as the prevention in the case of scurvy. Find below a list of eatables which are naturally choc a block with vitamin C.

Oranges, Lemons, Blackcurrants, Guava, Kiwifruit, Papaya, Tomatoes, Strawberries, Carrots, Bell peppers, Broccoli, Potatoes, Cabbage, Spinach, Paprika, Liver, Oysters.

– By Abhro