Scurvy is a disease caused by a lack of vitamin C, one of the essential nutrients for the body. Usually, this vitamin is taken through food (but it is possible to increase its intake with supplements); the body is unable to produce it on its own, although it constitutes a fundamental element in allowing it to function properly. If you are concerned about scurvy, it is important to recognize the signs and symptoms so your doctor can diagnose it and, if confirmed, treat it.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Recognize the Signs and Symptoms
Step 1. Recognize the early symptoms of the disease
In the first stage, scurvy develops a wide variety of non-specific signs, including:
- Unusual feeling of exhaustion;
- Fever;
- Diarrhea;
- Nausea;
- Lack of appetite;
- Pain in the joints and / or muscles;
- A general sense of malaise;
- Some people show blood-red spots on their skin, especially around the follicle area.
Step 2. Look for more advanced signs and symptoms of scurvy
Although it is difficult to diagnose early on, if it is not diagnosed and treated, it often gets worse and more serious problems develop, such as:
- Loose teeth
- Bulging eyes
- Bruises that form more easily and are more severe than usual
- The gums tend to bleed (they can also appear swollen and take on a purplish color)
- Dry and brittle hair
- Dry, flaky skin that may take on a more brown hue
- Difficulty in healing wounds (for example, they take longer than usual to heal);
- Swelling of the arms and legs due to stagnation of blood in the joints and muscles;
- In infants and children, bone growth may stop prematurely.
Step 3. Be aware of the risk factors
If you are experiencing signs and symptoms that suggest scurvy, consider whether you are in a high-risk category (which can greatly increase your chances of suffering from this disease). The people who fall into these groups are:
- Those who follow a poor diet (many times they are users of illicit drugs and / or alcohol);
- Those who suffer from severe food allergies and follow a very limited diet;
- Seniors;
- Those suffering from eating disorders;
- Smokers, since smoking increases the need for vitamin C and for this reason they are more prone to being deficient.
Method 2 of 3: Diagnosing Scurvy
Step 1. Go to the doctor
If you are worried that you have contracted this disease, it is important that you visit your doctor to get a certain diagnosis and the right treatment. She may ask you detailed questions about your eating habits at the time of your appointment to see if you are getting adequate amounts of vitamin C. She may also undergo a physical exam, looking for signs or symptoms.
Step 2. Ask him to perform blood tests
If your doctor is concerned that you have contracted scurvy, the next step is to prescribe these types of tests to determine the level of vitamin C and iron in your blood. The iron concentration is measured because the body's ability to absorb it depends on the presence of vitamin C; therefore, if the latter is low, you are more likely to be iron deficient.
From a simple blood test it is possible to detect the presence of both of these elements, in order to find the most suitable treatments in case you are deficient in one and / or the other
Step 3. Get a joint x-ray
Since scurvy can negatively affect these organs (especially in children, as it can lead to stunted growth), your doctor may order this knee, wrist and rib test as the disease can initially affect these parts of the body.. X-rays can provide an indication of how healthy your joints and bones are and whether or not they have suffered damage from potential scurvy.
Method 3 of 3: Treating Scurvy
Step 1. Increase your vitamin C intake
If you have been diagnosed with this disease, the good news is that you can treat it quite simply. The main treatment is to increase the intake of vitamin C usually through nutrition and the intake of supplements. Your doctor gives you guidelines to know your daily dose based on the level of deficiency you suffer from; A dosage of between 250 and 1000 mg of vitamin C per day is usually recommended to treat scurvy.
Foods rich in this nutrient are: fruits, vegetables (especially kale, spinach and broccoli) and offal such as kidney or liver
Step 2. Address and cure any related and underlying pathology
Scurvy is often associated with other conditions, such as eating disorders and alcoholism; if this is also your case, it is important to manage and deal with these problems as well.
Step 3. Treat anemia, if any
Finally, since iron deficiency is often coexistent with vitamin C deficiency, you should take oral supplements to restore the blood concentration of this mineral. Your doctor will prescribe the dosage that suits your needs based on the results of the blood tests and the severity of the situation.
Step 4. Be aware of your recovery times
Some symptoms, such as bleeding from the gums and other areas of the body, should stop within 24 hours of starting treatment; the other ailments take a few weeks to regress. Scurvy can be effectively eradicated by respecting the therapy prescribed by the doctor to the letter.
