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Scurvy has been known since ancient Greece and Egypt and is often referred to as a sailor’s disease. Modern cases of scurvy are rare, but they can affect individuals with a deficiency of vitamin C and ascorbic acid. Do not think that this disease does not exist today just because it has existed for a long time and people do not talk about it much. Patients with scurvy still appear from time to time.
What is scurvy?
Scurvy is a clear sign that the human body has a severe deficiency of vitamin C. Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, is a fundamental element. It plays a role in the development and functioning of many bodily processes and structures, including all of the following. Therefore you should pay attention to the intake of these components. Vitamin C is involved in:
- the proper formation of collagen (the protein that helps provide structure and stability to connective tissue),
- the metabolism of cholesterol and proteins,
- the absorption of iron, wound healing and the production of neurotransmitters such as dopamine and epinephrine,
- it has antioxidant effects.
Symptoms and warning signs of scurvy
Vitamin C in the body is involved in many different functions. Its deficiency therefore causes fairly common symptoms. Symptoms usually begin at least after four weeks of significant and persistent vitamin C deficiency. Generally, however, it takes three months or more before symptoms appear. Let’s take a look at which symptoms are among the most common in the case of this unique and rare disease.
Unfortunately, it is not something huge and fundamental that you could not possibly overlook. Nowadays we often ignore our bodies, and therefore you may not even notice these signals. But if you do not take vitamin C into your body over a long period and you experience weakness, unexplained exhaustion, decreased appetite, irritability, aching legs or a low-grade fever, you should visit a doctor.
Moderate and serious symptoms
If you let things go too far, after at least three months you may develop symptoms such as anemia, gingivitis, skin bleeding or bleeding under the skin, large areas of red-blue to black bruises that often appear on the legs and feet. In addition, you may have increased problems with cavities, shortness of breath, swollen joints, chest pain, sensitivity to light or blurred vision.
Among the truly severe cases of scurvy, which were typical in earlier times among sailors, are truly nasty symptoms. A lack of vitamin C can lead to severe jaundice, high sensitivity and pain, hemolysis, high fevers, tooth loss and internal bleeding. Sometimes there are also seizures, organ failure, delirium, coma and subsequent death.
