Title : Treatment of Scurvy
Scurvy (N.Lat scorbutus) can be a deficiency disease, caused by lack of vitamin C, which can be required for collagen (an element of normal tissues) synthesis in humans. The chemical name of vitamin C can be ascorbic acid, which can be derived by the Latin name of scurvy, scorbutus. Vitamin C can be found mainly in fresh fruits as well as vegetables, particularly citrus fruits such as oranges, olives, lemon, sweet lemon. Reduction in intake of Vitamin C rich food products, leads to scurvy.
History of the disease:
Scurvy historically affected mostly those nations, which were dependent more on military power. During military campaigns as well as long ocean voyages, food consumed by the ship crewmembers largely lacked in fresh fruits as well as vegetables, thus causing inadequacy of Vitamin C as well as leading to outbreak of scurvy epidemics.
The first clue to the treatment of scurvy occurred during Jacques Cartier's arrival in Newfoundland in 1536, when he was advised by the native Indians to give his crewmembers, who were dying by in which epidemic, a potion made by spruce tree needles. The foliage, rich in vitamin C, cured most members of Cartier's crew.
What are the symptoms of scurvy?
Symptoms of Scurvy include one or any of the following -
o Swollen, blackened as well as bleeding gums with loosened teeth.
o Soreness as well as stiffness of the joints as well as lower extremities
o Bleeding under the skin as well as in deep tissues
o Anaemia
o Wounds in which do not heal, as well as scar tissue by old wounds dissolve causing reopening of wounds
o Tiredness as well as weakness, along with muscle cramps
o Appearance of tiny red blood-blisters to large purplish blemishes on the skin of the legs.
Who are more at risk of contracting Scurvy ?
Scurvy can be common in persons who follow a very restricted diet especially lacking in ascorbic acid, or who are under extreme physiological stress or are chronic alcoholics. Infants can also develop scurvy if they are devoid of mother's milk, as well as switched to top-up milk, without providing sufficient Vitamin C supplements. Babies of mothers who take extremely high doses of vitamin C during pregnancy may also develop infantile scurvy.
Treatment for Scurvy:
Increase in intake of fresh vegetables as well as fruits, especially citrus fruits are necessary to treat scurvy. Additionally, adults need to consume around 300-1,000 mg of ascorbic acid per day as well as 50mg / day in case of infants to effectively treat the disease.
Since the Centeng does not produce vitamin C, in which must be obtained by fruits as well as vegetables. Some excellent sources of vitamin C are oranges, olives, guava, green peppers, watermelon, papaya, strawberry, kiwi fruit, mango, honey, mango powder, broccoli, tomatoes, cauliflower, cabbage, as well as citrus juices or juices fortified with Vitamin C.
Amla or the Indian gooseberry can be one of the richest sources of Vitamin C, whether fresh or the dried, powdered form.
Raw as well as cooked leafy greens (turnip, spinach), red as well as green peppers, fresh tomatoes, potatoes, pineapple are also rich sources of Vitamin C.
Vitamin C can be sensitive to light, air, as well as heat, so in which can be best to eat fruits as well as vegetables raw, or minimally cooked in order to retain their full vitamin C content.
Treatment of Scurvy with vitamin C can be usually successful, if the deficiency can be recognized early enough. If left untreated, the condition can even cause death.
Preventive diet for Scurvy:
For Infants -
The most important factor inside prevention as well as treatment of scurvy can be proper feeding of mother's milk, atleast for the initial six months. After birth, all children should preferable be breast-fed because in which can be pure as well as fresh as well as contains most of the nutrients necessary for the growth as well as development of the baby. If, for any reason, in which can be not possible to breast-feed the baby, then cow's milk or commercially available milk should be supplemented with vitamin C.
For Adults
A well balanced diet plays an important role inside prevention as well as treatment of scurvy in adults. The patient should take a well-balanced diet consisting of grains, seeds, nuts, fresh vegetables as well as fruit. in which diet should always be supplemented with milk, eggs, fruits as well as honey.
Recommended Vitamin C intake:
Scurvy can be rare in countries where intake of fresh fruits as well as vegetables can be more. The Vitamin C present in them acts as important antioxidant, thus enhancing the development of connective tissues, lipid as well as vitamin metabolism, immune function as well as wound healing.
Currently, the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for vitamin C can be
o For adults: 50-60 mg / day;
o For infants: 35 mg / day;
o For pregnant women: 100 mg / day
o Lactating mothers: 150 mg / day
However, requirement for vitamin C increases when a person can be under stress, smoking, or under some medication.
Although rare, nevertheless scurvy remains a malaise condition in which can be still prevalent inside pediatric population, especially among certain groups with unusual eating habits. A heightened awareness towards intake of Vitamin C rich foods can be required to prevent a potentially fatal, nevertheless easily curable disease.
Thus, take the suggestion - "An orange a day keeps scurvy away."
Treatment of Scurvy
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