Facts About Scurvy
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By :
Health Facts
Submitted
2011-06-06 11:55:02 |
Luckily diseases such as scurvy are so rare now that they are relegated to the history books, however it is still interesting to know a little bit about such things from the days of yore.
Scurvy occurs or more aptly, occurred when an individual does not get a sufficient amount of Vitamin C.
Although cases are almost mythological now, they still from time to time occur, mostly in the third world, but don't kid yourself there are still people in the USA that eat a diet almost completely devoid of nutrition, so here I have compiled a few interesting facts about scurvy to enlighten you.
There are particular conditions that can put pressure on the body's demand for Vitamin C, and will enhance an individual's opportunity of getting Scurvy. These diseases increase the risk of lacking in vitamin c.
Here are some facts about scurvy that may intrigue you.
*Scurvy is really a condition characterized by general weakness, anaemia, gingivitis (gum disease), and skin haemorrhages created through a lacking in vitamin C.
*Scurvy was sometimes seen in sailors on lengthy ocean voyages described from the 15th century onwards.
*Scurvy will result in the formation of liver spots.
*Scurvy was possibly initial observed as a disease by Hippocrates .
*Scurvy control illustrates how slowly an obviously advantageous innovation spreads.
*Scurvy, smallpox, along with other diseases had been killing numerous European settlers.
*Scurvy occurs within a couple of weeks of inadequate levels of vitamin C and could present a wide selection of clinical signs.
*If Scurvy is not treated, an individual will die, but with correct treatment a full recovery will occur.
*If scurvy isn't properly treated from the first signs it can turn out to be acute leading to hemorrhage.
*Scurvy is an illness that has a lengthy history, ever popular in the dark ages of medieval times where nutrition was not understood and vitamins were not yet common knowledge.
*Scurvy is primarily a clinical diagnosis; skin biopsies are often nonspecific and lab testing is regularly unnecessary. Although it would certainly test a doctor's ability to diagnose such a rare and antiquated disease such as scurvy.
* Vitamin C is a water soluble vitamin and as such is needed several times per day, unlike fat soluble vitamins which the body can store.
*In scurvy, abnormal collagen is synthesized that causes skin lesions and broken blood vessels.
*Sea farer Captain Cook famously took citrus fruit on voyages to stave of the condition which enabled him to discover new lands. He was one of the pioneers of such preventative measures and as such many people would have lived because of his actions.
*It's thought that scurvy occurs pretty rarely in modern societies of nowadays as most folks have access to year round fresh fruits and vegetables which are rich sources of vitamin C. Having said that, many groups of folks are at risk in impoverished areas and countries where starvation is rife.
*Vitamin C is commonly associated with oranges, but many other fruits contain vitamin c including berries, currants, mangos, paw paw, kiwi fruit and lychees.
Can You Still Get Scurvy?
Chances are slim to none. Being that you most likely know how to avoid it and are also probably able to ensure you receive adequate nutrition to prevent it. Having said that, there are still some small pockets of society that routinely consume foods devoid of nutritional value and thusly are potentially at risk, especially if they contract an illness that robs the body of vitamin c.
The reality is you wont get scurvy, but it's a useful tool to get the kids to eat their vegetables and fruit anyway.
So eat your veges and make sure you get plenty of fresh fruit in your diet, because you'd sure regret it if you didn't.
Facts About Scurvy By Health Facts
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