Scurvy: Causes, Symptoms, Daignosis, Prevention and Treatment

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Scurvy
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Scurvy

• Scurvy is a condition that is caused in a person
  who is having insufficient amount of vitamin C
  for a prolonged period of time. The condition
  causes weakness, impaired wound healing, anemia,
  and gingivitis.In children, it can cause bone
  loss and fractures. Scurvy is rare disease and it
  occurs most commonly in malnourished older adults
  and chronic alcoholics.

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Causes of Scurvy

• A diet that lacks in fruits and vegetables or
  foods fortified with vitamin C is typically the
  main cause of scurvy.

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Risk factors associated with scurvy

• Some of the following factors increase your
  chance of having scurvy
• A limited or poor diet, with little or no fruits
  and vegetables
• Little or no vitamin C in the diet
• Anorexia nervosa
• Alcoholism
• Poor dental hygiene
• Gastrointestinal disorders like malabsorption,
  inflammatory bowel disease, dyspepsia, and
  Whipple disease
• Chemotherapy
• A fad diet
• Self-taken restrictive diets for weight loss or
  due to food allergies

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Diagnosis of scurvy

• Scurvy may be found during a physical exam,
  depending upon the analysis of symptoms and diet.
  A doctor will order a blood test to measure the
  level of vitamin C in the blood to confirm the
  diagnosis. Infants and children may have x-rays
  done to look for specific problems from scurvy,
  such as bone disease.

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Symptoms of scurvy

• Symptoms of scurvy include
• Weakness
• Paleness
• Sunken eyes
• Tender, swollen gums or tooth loss
• Muscular pain
• Reopening of old wounds or sores
• Loss of appetite
• Bruising easily
• Weight loss inability to gain weight

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Symptoms of scurvy
Continue

• Diarrhea
• Increased heart rate
• Fever
• Irritability
• Aching and swelling in joints
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue

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Treatment for scurvy

• The treatment for scurvy is simple and
  effective. To eliminate symptoms and make a full
  recovery, begin vitamin C replacement until
  symptoms resolve and then take recommended
  amounts of vitamin C. Vitamin C levels can be
  increased by
• Eating a diet rich in citrus fruits, other
  fruits, and vegetables
• Taking vitamin C supplements

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