Scurvy Disease Information - symptoms, picture, Treatment of Scurvy Disease

Scurvy was a serious disease for sailors at sea. An understanding of the cause and remedy for scurvy grew out of the experience of British sailors in the 18th century. If they had a very poor diet with no fresh vegetables or fruit for several months they ended up with scurvy. Of course the Officers were able to eat a better diet so they were less likely to get scurvy. In infantile scurvy there is irritability, painful legs, anaemia and characteristic subperiosteal haemorrhages, particularly into the ends of long bones. Scurvy is due to a prolonged deficiency of vitamin C in the diet and takes about 4 to 8 months to develop clinical signs. In the past, scurvy was common among sailors and other people deprived of fresh fruits and vegetables for long periods of time.

Symptoms of Scurvy

In children, the deficiency can cause painful swelling of the legs along with fever , diarrhea , and vomiting. In adults, early signs of scurvy include feeling weak, tired, and achy. Some other important symptoms of scurvy are gradual weakening, pale skin, sunken eyes, tender gums, muscle pain, loss of teeth, internal bleeding, and the opening of wounds such as sword cuts that had healed many years before.

Treatment of Scurvy

Scurvy can be prevented by a diet that includes limes, oranges, and lemons, or the juices of these fruits. The response to vitamin C is dramatic. Clinicians should be aware of this potentially fatal but easily curable condition that is still occasionally encountered among children. Adult treatment is usually 300–1,000 mg of ascorbic acid per day. Infants should be treated with 50 mg of ascorbic acid up to four times per day.