What disease occurs with ascorbic acid deficiency?
Scurvy happens when there is a lack of vitamin C, or ascorbic acid. The deficiency leads to symptoms of weakness, anemia, gum disease, and skin problems. This is because vitamin C is needed for making collagen, an important component in connective tissues.
Why is scurvy called sailors disease?
Sailors got the nickname “limey” from this practice. Today, it is known that the sailors’ scurvy was caused by vitamin C deficiency. Because fresh fruits and vegetables could not be stored on board, lime juice provided the vitamin C the sailors needed. Source: Hamilton E., Sizer F., Whitney E.
How do you get scurvy disease?
Scurvy is caused by not having enough vitamin C in your diet for at least 3 months. Vitamin C is mainly found in fruit and vegetables. Even people who do not eat very healthily all the time are not usually considered at risk of scurvy.
Why does Vit C deficiency cause bleeding?
When the body is deficient in vitamin C, these small blood vessels become fragile and break easily, causing small, bright red spots to appear around the hair follicles. This is known as perifollicular hemorrhage and a well-documented sign of severe vitamin C deficiency ( 7 , 8 ).
What vitamin helps blood clots?
Vitamin K is a group of vitamins that the body needs for blood clotting, helping wounds to heal.
Who is most at risk for vitamin C deficiency?
The most likely people include those with an overall poor diet, with kidney disease who get dialysis, heavy drinkers, and smokers. You’ll need an extra 35 milligrams of vitamin C per day to help repair the damage caused by free radicals that form when you smoke.
Is scurvy life threatening?
After several months of vitamin C deficiency, a range of symptoms and signs can occur, including anemia, myalgia, bone pain, easy bruising, swelling, petechiae, gum disease, poor wound healing, and depression. Late stages of scurvy are life threatening.
How does Henoch Schonlein purpura affect the body?
The disease is characterized by abnormal deposits of immunoglobulin A (an antibody) in the blood vessels, leading to their inflammation (vasculitis). The small vessels of the skin, joints, kidneys, and digestive organs are particularly involved.
What kind of disease causes purple spots on the skin?
Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP) is a disease that involves purple spots on the skin (purpura), joint pain, digestive problems, and glomerulonephritis (a type of kidney disorder).
Which is a rare case of scorbutic gingivitis?
A rare case of scorbutic gingivitis is reported where diffuse generalised erythematous gingival enlargement with hemorrhagic tendency and severe generalised mobility of teeth was present.