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What is scurvy? -

Scurvy is a disease caused by a severe vitamin C deficiency.

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Why is scurvy known as an old sailors’ disease? -

Scurvy affected many sailors, especially between the 16th to 19th centuries. Long voyages at sea without access to fresh produce eventually led to a vitamin C deficit.

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A famine and war disease -

Scurvy outbreaks also occurred as the result of famines and wars throughout history. These included the Irish potato famine, the American Civil War, and the World Wars, to name a few.

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Do people still get scurvy? -

While the incidence in developed countries is low, it still affects people around the globe. But what exactly is vitamin C and why is a deficiency so serious?

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What is vitamin C? -

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is a key micronutrient for a number of bodily functions. Vitamin C plays an important role in the creation of collagen and therefore in healthy connective tissue, skin, and bones.

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What does vitamin C do? -

Vitamin C also helps the body absorb iron, which is essential in the production of red blood cells. What's more, it helps heal wounds.

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What does vitamin C do? -

As an antioxidant, vitamin C also helps protect the body from free radical damage and it boosts immunity. It also affects cholesterol metabolism, as well as the creation of neurotransmitters.

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Early signs -

Symptoms of scurvy manifest after eight to 10 weeks of deficiency. There are, however, some early signs, including fatigue, lethargy, irritability, loss of appetite, and weight loss.

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Symptoms -

Symptoms become more severe after one to three months of untreated scurvy. These include anemia, myalgia or pain (including bone pain), and petechiae (skin spots).

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Symptoms -

Other symptoms include corkscrew hairs (bleeding around hair follicles), swelling, or edema.

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Symptoms -

Shortness of breath, poor wound healing, gum disease (and loss of teeth), mood changes, and depression can also occur.

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Symptoms -

Other symptoms include headache, swollen joints, eye dryness or irritation, light sensitivity, blurred vision, and gastrointestinal bleeding.

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Complications -

Untreated scurvy can lead to severe complications, which can be fatal. These may include fever, generalized pain, severe jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), and hemolysis (sudden and spontaneous bleeding).

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Complications -

Other complications can include neuropathy (limb numbness and pain), convulsions, delirium, organ failure, and coma.

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Who's at risk? -

Humans cannot produce vitamin C, so it has to come from external food sources. In developed countries, babies, children, and older adults are most at risk of not consuming enough vitamin C.

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Risk factors -

Not having access to fresh fruits and vegetables (or even fortified foods) is the main risk factor for developing the disease.

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Risk factors -

People who constantly feel sick with food—whether it's a physical condition, such as a side effect of chemotherapy, or a mental one like an eating disorder—are at higher risk of not consuming enough vitamin C.

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Risk factors -

Smoking can have an impact on the absorption of vitamin C from foods, so smokers are at higher risk when compared to non-smokers. 

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Risk factors -

Having an alcohol or drug dependency that affects one’s diet can also be a risk factor. 

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Risk factors -

Having a poor diet while pregnant or breastfeeding can hinder the absorption of vitamin C, as does having a restrictive diet.

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Risk factors -

Several medical conditions can also increase the risk of vitamin C deficiency. These include type 1 diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis, to name a few.

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Diagnosis -

Diagnosis is usually done through a blood test. Blood serum levels of vitamin C under 11 micromoles per liter (µmol/L) indicate severe deficiency. 

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Diagnosis -

Blood tests can however be hit-or-miss, as they only access current levels of vitamin C, which can vary. 

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Treatment -

Treatment for scurvy is pretty simple: consume more vitamin C. This can be through diet, and/or with the help of supplements.

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Treatment -

Sometimes, vitamin C injections are also prescribed. In as little as 48 hours, patients start to feel better, with some symptoms subsiding completely in the following weeks.

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Prevention -

The only way to prevent scurvy is by consuming enough vitamin C. Sources of vitamin C include citrus fruits, as well as kiwi, strawberries, blackberries, guava, and papaya.

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Prevention -

There are also a number of vegetables rich in vitamin C. These include tomatoes, bell peppers, carrots, spinach, broccoli, potatoes, and cabbage. 

Sources: (CNN) (Healthline) (Cleveland Clinic) (Medical News Today)

See also: These vitamins can be dangerous for you

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