Scurvy

By: Clayton Cloud

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Description

• Scurvy is a condition that occurs when you don’t have the needed amount of Vitamin C in your body.

• The visual appearance of Scurvy is sores, swelling, and obvious bleeding spots including hemorrhaging.

Scientific Description

• Scurvy is a condition that is shown through bleeding out of the mucus membrane.

• Open wounds are present as well as: loss of teeth, jaundice, high fever, and neurological problems.

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Signs & Symptoms

• Fatigue• Weakness• Aches• Gum disease• Paralysis• Hemorrhage• Swelling and bruising

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Causes

• The single cause of Scurvy is the lack of Vitamin C taken in to the body.

• The lack of Vitamin C can be because of any of the following: lack of knowledge toward the disease, famine, anorexia, certain diets not containing Vitamin C, and difficulty eating certain foods.

Cure

• Taking medical Vitamin C in large amounts over a span of about a month.

• After that month, continue to eat a good amount of foods containing Vitamin C to avoid obtaining Scurvy again.

• Orange Juice is a good fluid to consume during these periods as well as various fruit juices.

Worst Case Scenario

• Vitamin C is needed in the body to produce collagen and collagen builds up tissues.

• When Scurvy is obtained the Vitamin C is not present to produce collagen which therefore tears down tissues in the body.

• Death can also occur if Vitamin C is not replenished and Scurvy is spread throughout the body.

Facts

• The condition, Scurvy, comes from the Latin word scortubus.

• Scurvy was first found to be present in Greek and Egyptian times.

• Alcoholics have a greater chance of developing Scurvy because they usually consume less Vitamin C.

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Sources

• http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/155758.php

• http://seachestsecret.questacon.edu.au/assets/scurvy_science_-_antiscorbutic_foods_and_vitamin_c.pdf

• http://www.ehow.com/way_5250051_cures-scurvy.html