Scurvy: Difference between revisions

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{{SI}}
{{Infobox medical condition
| name            = Scurvy
| image          = [[File:Scorbutic_gums.jpg|left|thumb|Scorbutic gums]]
| caption        = Gums affected by scurvy
| field          = [[Hematology]]
| symptoms        = [[Fatigue]], [[anemia]], [[gum disease]], [[skin hemorrhages]]
| complications  = [[Anemia]], [[bleeding]], [[tooth loss]]
| onset          = Gradual
| duration        = Variable
| causes          = [[Vitamin C]] deficiency
| risks          = Poor diet, [[alcoholism]], [[eating disorders]]
| diagnosis      = [[Blood test]] for vitamin C levels
| differential    = [[Gingivitis]], [[bleeding disorders]]
| prevention      = Adequate intake of [[fruits]] and [[vegetables]]
| treatment      = [[Vitamin C]] supplementation
| medication      = [[Ascorbic acid]]
| prognosis      = Good with treatment
| frequency      = Rare in developed countries
}}
'''Scurvy''' is a [[disease]] (sickness). It is caused by not eating enough [[vitamin C]]. But scurvy can be prevented. It has many [[symptom]]s. People who have scurvy get spots on their skin, especially on their legs. Their teeth may loosen and/or fall out. They may [[bleeding|bleed]] from the mouth, nose, and gums ([[mucus membrane]]s). A person with scurvy will look pale and feel sad (see [[Depression (illness)|depression]]). They will not be able to move easily, because their [[joint]]s hurt.
'''Scurvy''' is a [[disease]] (sickness). It is caused by not eating enough [[vitamin C]]. But scurvy can be prevented. It has many [[symptom]]s. People who have scurvy get spots on their skin, especially on their legs. Their teeth may loosen and/or fall out. They may [[bleeding|bleed]] from the mouth, nose, and gums ([[mucus membrane]]s). A person with scurvy will look pale and feel sad (see [[Depression (illness)|depression]]). They will not be able to move easily, because their [[joint]]s hurt.
[[File:Scorbutic gums.jpg|thumb]]
Scurvy can be easily cured. Oranges and other [[fruit]]s can restore vitamins. In the past, [[sailor]]s more commonly got scurvy. Fresh fruit could not be kept for long.The main cause of scurvy is lack of fresh fruits and [[vegetable]]s. It is uncommon today.
Scurvy can be easily cured. Oranges and other [[fruit]]s can restore vitamins. In the past, [[sailor]]s more commonly got scurvy. Fresh fruit could not be kept for long.The main cause of scurvy is lack of fresh fruits and [[vegetable]]s. It is uncommon today.
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==Signs of scurvy==
==Signs of scurvy==
'''At first, a person with scurvy may:'''
'''At first, a person with scurvy may:'''
#Not want to eat (loss of [[appetite]])
#Not want to eat (loss of [[appetite]])
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#Breathe fast ([[tachypnea]])
#Breathe fast ([[tachypnea]])
#Be hot (have a high body temperature or [[fever]])
#Be hot (have a high body temperature or [[fever]])
'''A bit later a person with scurvy may:'''
'''A bit later a person with scurvy may:'''
#Feel angry (irritability)
#Feel angry (irritability)
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#Have [[inflammation|swelling]] of the arms and legs
#Have [[inflammation|swelling]] of the arms and legs
#Bleed from the mouth, nose and gums
#Bleed from the mouth, nose and gums
==Why people get scurvy==
==Why people get scurvy==
 
#Not eating enough food that has vitamin C
#Not eating enough food that has vitamin C  
#Going on a long trip, often at sea, where there is no fresh food
#Going on a long trip, often at sea, where there is no fresh food
#Not having enough food ([[famine]])
#Not having enough food ([[famine]])
#Breaking down the vitamin C by over-cooking (like boiling fruit juice)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/supplement/vitamin-c-ascorbic-acid|title=Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid)|first=|last=|date=7/16/2013|website=Medical Reference Guide|publisher=University of Maryland Medical Center|accessdate=4/10/2016}}</ref>
#Breaking down the vitamin C by over-cooking (like boiling fruit juice)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/supplement/vitamin-c-ascorbic-acid|title=Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid)|first=|last=|date=7/16/2013|website=Medical Reference Guide|publisher=University of Maryland Medical Center|accessdate=4/10/2016}}</ref>
==Treatment of scurvy==
==Treatment of scurvy==
#Eating vitamin C pills or giving it by needle (injection, also known as a shot). The injection almost always cures scurvy in babies.
#Eating vitamin C pills or giving it by needle (injection, also known as a shot). The injection almost always cures scurvy in babies.
#Drinking orange juice is another treatment that works in babies. Before vitamin C was discovered this was the only treatment.
#Drinking orange juice is another treatment that works in babies. Before vitamin C was discovered this was the only treatment.
When a person gets help for scurvy, they usually get better very quickly. Babies start eating again after one or two days of help. The [[symptom]]s get better within seven days.
When a person gets help for scurvy, they usually get better very quickly. Babies start eating again after one or two days of help. The [[symptom]]s get better within seven days.
==Getting vitamin C from food==
==Getting vitamin C from food==
Eating vitamin C [[wikt: prevent|prevents]] scurvy. How much vitamin C a person needs changes with his or her age and is different for [[pregnancy|pregnant]] and [[breast|lactating]] women. The following is the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Academy of Sciences, National Research Council's advice on how much vitamin C to eat every day:
Eating vitamin C [[wikt: prevent|prevents]] scurvy. How much vitamin C a person needs changes with his or her age and is different for [[pregnancy|pregnant]] and [[breast|lactating]] women. The following is the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Academy of Sciences, National Research Council's advice on how much vitamin C to eat every day:
 
* Infants (babies): 30–40&nbsp;mg
* Infants (babies): 30–40&nbsp;mg  
* Children and adults: 45–60&nbsp;mg
* Children and adults: 45–60&nbsp;mg  
* Pregnant women: 70&nbsp;mg
* Pregnant women: 70&nbsp;mg  
* Mothers breast feeding: 90–95&nbsp;mg
* Mothers breast feeding: 90–95&nbsp;mg
Foods with a lot of vitamin C include the following:
Foods with a lot of vitamin C include the following:
* [[Citrus]] [[Fruit|fruits]] (for example: oranges, limes)
* [[Citrus]] [[Fruit|fruits]] (for example: oranges, limes)
* [[Berries]]  
* [[Berries]]
* [[Cantaloupe]]  
* [[Cantaloupe]]
* [[Broccoli]]  
* [[Broccoli]]
* [[Cauliflower]]  
* [[Cauliflower]]
* [[Cabbage]]  
* [[Cabbage]]
* [[Spinach]]  
* [[Spinach]]
* [[Potato]]es  
* [[Potato]]es
* [[Tomato]]es
* [[Tomato]]es
* [[Strawberry|Strawberries]]
* [[Strawberry|Strawberries]]
== References ==
== References ==
{{reflist|2}}
{{reflist|2}}

Latest revision as of 18:07, 8 April 2025

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD's medical weight loss NYC, sleep center NYC
Philadelphia medical weight loss and Philadelphia sleep clinics

Scurvy
Scorbutic gums
Synonyms N/A
Pronounce N/A
Specialty N/A
Symptoms Fatigue, anemia, gum disease, skin hemorrhages
Complications Anemia, bleeding, tooth loss
Onset Gradual
Duration Variable
Types N/A
Causes Vitamin C deficiency
Risks Poor diet, alcoholism, eating disorders
Diagnosis Blood test for vitamin C levels
Differential diagnosis Gingivitis, bleeding disorders
Prevention Adequate intake of fruits and vegetables
Treatment Vitamin C supplementation
Medication Ascorbic acid
Prognosis Good with treatment
Frequency Rare in developed countries
Deaths N/A


Scurvy is a disease (sickness). It is caused by not eating enough vitamin C. But scurvy can be prevented. It has many symptoms. People who have scurvy get spots on their skin, especially on their legs. Their teeth may loosen and/or fall out. They may bleed from the mouth, nose, and gums (mucus membranes). A person with scurvy will look pale and feel sad (see depression). They will not be able to move easily, because their joints hurt. Scurvy can be easily cured. Oranges and other fruits can restore vitamins. In the past, sailors more commonly got scurvy. Fresh fruit could not be kept for long.The main cause of scurvy is lack of fresh fruits and vegetables. It is uncommon today.

Signs of scurvy[edit]

At first, a person with scurvy may:

  1. Not want to eat (loss of appetite)
  2. Feel sad (slight depression)
  3. Lose weight or not get heavier even though they eat a lot
  4. Have loose feces (diarrhea)
  5. Breathe fast (tachypnea)
  6. Be hot (have a high body temperature or fever)

A bit later a person with scurvy may:

  1. Feel angry (irritability)
  2. Have pains in the legs (and tenderness)
  3. Find it hard to move (pseudo paralysis)
  4. Have swelling of the arms and legs
  5. Bleed from the mouth, nose and gums

Why people get scurvy[edit]

  1. Not eating enough food that has vitamin C
  2. Going on a long trip, often at sea, where there is no fresh food
  3. Not having enough food (famine)
  4. Breaking down the vitamin C by over-cooking (like boiling fruit juice)<ref>

Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid)(link). Medical Reference Guide. University of Maryland Medical Center. 7/16/2013.



</ref>

Treatment of scurvy[edit]

  1. Eating vitamin C pills or giving it by needle (injection, also known as a shot). The injection almost always cures scurvy in babies.
  2. Drinking orange juice is another treatment that works in babies. Before vitamin C was discovered this was the only treatment.

When a person gets help for scurvy, they usually get better very quickly. Babies start eating again after one or two days of help. The symptoms get better within seven days.

Getting vitamin C from food[edit]

Eating vitamin C prevents scurvy. How much vitamin C a person needs changes with his or her age and is different for pregnant and lactating women. The following is the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Academy of Sciences, National Research Council's advice on how much vitamin C to eat every day:

  • Infants (babies): 30–40 mg
  • Children and adults: 45–60 mg
  • Pregnant women: 70 mg
  • Mothers breast feeding: 90–95 mg

Foods with a lot of vitamin C include the following:

References[edit]

<references group="" responsive="0"></references>


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