A health condition that occurs due to extremely low vitamin C (ascorbic acid) levels is called scurvy. The primary cause of this condition is not eating enough fruits and vegetables. Moreover, if you ignore the symptoms and do not get treatment, it may lead to serious complications. These include bleeding under the skin, loosened teeth, bleeding gums, and others. Healthcare professionals often treat this condition with high-dose vitamin C supplements and dietary changes.
While scurvy is rarely diagnosed in the U.S. because most people get enough vitamin C from their diet, it is mostly diagnosed in developing countries.
Vitamin C
This is a very important nutrient in the body that is responsible for the proper development, growth, and healing of the skin, bones, and connective tissue. It also helps blood vessels function properly and maintain the teeth and gums. Vitamin C is also used to absorb Iron in the body.
In general, this vitamin is an antioxidant that protects the cells against damage from free radicals. These are byproducts of normal cell activity that often participate in chemical reactions within cells. Hence, some of these reactions may cause damage to the cells over time.
This condition occurs quite rarely, especially in the U.S. (about 7.1% of people have a vitamin C deficiency). However, in northern India, the rate is 74%.
Symptoms
Usually, this condition develops within a few months of not getting enough vitamin C in the diet. Therefore, the first symptoms begin to appear. For example, fatigue (extreme tiredness), joint pain, irritability, and weakness. Without treatment, it may lead to more severe symptoms. Check below some of them:
- Anemia (reduced red blood cell count)
- Bleeding under the skin (also known as skin hemorrhages)
- Easily bruised skin
- Swollen legs
- Dry and brittle hair
- Delayed healing of the wounds
- Scaly and rough skin
- Loosened teeth
Check also some symptoms that may occur in children with vitamin C deficiency below:
- Difficulty gaining weight
- Lack of appetite
- Pain during movement
- Irritability
If you notice any of the previous symptoms, immediately visit a doctor. Early diagnosis and proper treatment may help prevent severe symptoms.
Causes
Commonly, people develop scurvy within 3 months of a severe lack of vitamin C in their diet. Deficiency often occurs due to not eating enough foods that contain Vitamin C. However, cooking may destroy vitamin C in some foods. In addition, people may require more vitamin C if they experience certain health conditions. Check below some factors that may increase the needed vitamin C intake:
- Surgeries
- Pregnancy
- Chronic (long-lasting) diarrhea
- Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid gland)
- Smoking
- Burns
- Health conditions that cause high fevers
- Breastfeeding
This disorder is not contagious, and it may happen only with extremely low vitamin C levels.
Risk Factors
Healthcare professionals have identified some factors that may elevate your risk of developing scurvy. Examples include:
- Limit access to fresh fruits or vegetables
- Certain medical treatments that make you feel sick and eat very little (such as chemotherapy)
- Eating disorder (such as anorexia)
- Smoking
- Alcohol or drug dependency
- Poor diet during pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Food allergies
- Other diseases (including type 1 diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, and others)
What Are The Complications of Scurvy?
If this condition is left untreated, it may lead to serious and even life-threatening complications. Examples include:
- Mental health problems (such as depression)
- Myalgia
- Edema
- Hemorrhage
- Tooth loss
- Neuropathy
- Jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin)
- Death
Consult with your doctor about ways to reduce the risk or prevent scurvy.
How to Prevent Scurvy?
The best way to prevent this disorder is to eat the daily recommended vitamin C. Check below the best sources of this nutrient:
- Tomatoes
- Citrus fruits
- Broccoli
- Potatoes
- Strawberries
- Sweet peppers
In any case, you should talk with your doctor before increasing the daily intake of vitamin C. In general, the amount of vitamin C that you should get daily depends on your age and other factors. Check below the average daily recommended amounts of vitamin C:
- From birth to 6 months of age – 40 mg
- 7 to 12 months – 50 mg
- 1 to 3 years – 15 mg
- 4 to 8 years – 25 mg
- 9 to 13 years – 45 mg
- Teenage boys (14 to 18 years old) – 75 mg
- Teenage girls (14 to 18 years old) – 65 mg
- Men (over 19 years old) – 90 mg
- Women (over 19 years old) – 75 mg
- Pregnant teenagers – 80 mg
- Pregnant adults – 85 mg
- Breastfeeding teenagers (115 mg) and adults (120 mg)
It is important to know that if you are a smoker, you should add 35 mg to the values listed above to get the right amount of vitamin C per day.
Diagnosis
Usually, this condition is diagnosed based on symptoms. Physicians will perform a physical examination to check for abnormalities linked to the disease. Sometimes, they may perform a blood test to check the amount of vitamin C in the blood.
Treatment
Treatment for this condition is vital to prevent life-threatening complications. In most cases, doctors recommend adding more vitamin C-rich foods to your diet. For instance, add fresh fruits and vegetables to every meal.
Sometimes, physicians recommend vitamin C supplements until you notice improvements and symptoms go away. While children with this disorder can take supplements of up to 300 mg per day, adults can take between 500 mg and 1000mg.
In most cases, people notice improvements within 2 days after starting the treatment. A full recovery often occurs in 14 days. Some people may need additional treatment if scurvy occurs due to certain health conditions that prevent the body from absorbing vitamin C (such as inflammatory bowel disease).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can people still get scurvy today?
Previously, this condition was common among long-distance sailors. However, people can still develop this condition when they do not eat enough fresh fruits and vegetables.
How do you know if you have scurvy?
People who develop this condition usually experience irritability, joint, muscle, or leg pain, bleeding gums, and red or blue spots on the skin. If you notice any of the previous symptoms, do not hesitate to see a doctor.
What happens if scurvy is left untreated?
People who ignore the symptoms and do not get treatment may experience some life-threatening complications and even death. These include:
- Severe anemia
- Neurological problems
- Poor wound healing
- Gum disease
Ask your healthcare provider if you have any other questions.
