Introduction
- Also called Moeller’s disease, Scurvy is caused by inadequate levels of vitamin C in the body.
- The initial symptoms include weakness, tiredness, and tingling in the limbs.
- If left untreated, Scurvy could be fatal.
- It’s an uncommon disease and affects almost 6 to 8 per cent of the population worldwide.
A little bit about Vitamin C:
- Ascorbic acid or vitamin C is necessary for the body to absorb enough iron to make collagen.
- Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin mostly present in citrus fruits and green vegetables.
- Also, this vitamin is necessary to repair damaged tissues, form bones, and produce neurotransmitters like dopamine and acetylcholine.
- Moreover, vitamin C also plays an important role in the metabolism of cholesterol in the body and wound healing.
Signs and symptoms:
Initial signs and symptoms:
o Tiredness
o Weakness
o Numbness in arms and legs
o Irritation
o Bruising
o Myalgia or pain in the body
o Decrease in appetite
Severe signs and symptoms:
o Gingivitis or gum disease
o Iron deficiency anaemia or lack of enough RBCs in the body
o Chest pain
o shortness of breath
o The inability of the body to combat infections or an underactive immune system
o Haemorrhage or bleeding under the akin
o Haemorrhage in the white portion of the eye
o Bumpy chicken skin on arms and thighs
o Loss of teeth
o Confusion
o Mood swings
If the disease is not treated timely, it can worsen and lead to death.
Causes
- Insufficient levels of vitamin C in the body
- Abnormally fast metabolism of vitamin C in the body
- Inadequate intake of vitamin C
Diagnosis
- After noticing scurvy’s initial signs and symptoms, you should visit a doctor. He will diagnose the disease based on the physical exam and laboratory tests.
Physical examination
The doctor can ask you some questions about your diet and family history of this disease.
He may observe the signs and can also do some blood tests to confirm scurvy.
Laboratory tests
o Blood tests:
- Most probably, the doctor may recommend blood tests to determine the levels of vitamin C in your body. People with serum levels of vitamin C below 11.5 micrograms per litre are suspected of having scurvy.
- Another purpose of these tests is to measure serum iron levels. Generally, a decrease in 50% of normal iron levels indicates the initial phase of scurvy.
o Imaging tests:
- Radiography is the commonest imaging test for scurvy.
- Mostly, these tests serve to find out infection and internal damage caused by the disease.
- X-ray (also called differential diagnosis) is used to differentiate between scurvy and other related disorders like rickets, osteochondrodysplasias, or osteomyelitis.
Treatment
- As deficiency of Vitamin C causes scurvy, the treatment options include adequate intake of the vitamin. The sources of vitamin C include:
o Oral supplements
o Parenteral solutions
o Fruits and vegetables.
- The daily recommended dose of vitamin C is as follows:
o 1-2 grams per day for the first three days of the therapy
o 500 mg for the next week
o 100 mg for 2 to 3 months
Your doctor can increase or decrease the dose depending upon the severity of your disease.
Smokers and alcoholics are required to take an additional dose of 35 mg per day compared to non-smokers.
Prevention of Scurvy
The best way to prevent Scurvy is to increase the vitamin C-rich foods in your diet. It includes:
- Kiwifruit
- Lychee
- Guava
- Cherry
- Lemon
- Orange
- Papaya
- Strawberry
- Parsley
- Broccoli
- Potatoes
- Liver
- Whale skin
Caution: Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin. Cooking or seasoning the vegetables/fruits may affect their contents. It is recommended to take the food in raw form, if possible.