October 24th 2024.
Scurvy, a condition that can cause swollen and bleeding gums, seems to be making a comeback. Surprisingly, it could be due to the current cost of living crisis. This disease, which was prevalent during the 16th to 18th centuries, has recently been diagnosed in a man from Perth, Australia, leaving doctors perplexed. They believe that the increasing cost of living, along with the rise in obesity and consumption of ultra-processed foods, may be contributing to the lack of vitamin C in people's diets, leading to the development of scurvy.
So, what is scurvy exactly? It occurs when the body does not receive enough vitamin C through the diet. Vitamin C is crucial for producing collagen, which is responsible for maintaining the health of our skin, blood vessels, bones, and connective tissue. Without enough of this important vitamin, the body cannot properly repair tissues, heal wounds, or fight infections, which can result in potentially fatal consequences.
There can be several reasons why people do not get enough vitamin C in their diet. Some may not consume enough fresh fruits and vegetables, while others may have a poor diet or smoke, which can reduce the absorption of vitamin C from food. In some cases, individuals with a long history of drug or alcohol dependency may also have a deficiency in this essential nutrient.
The symptoms of scurvy include feeling constantly fatigued and weak, being irritable and sad, experiencing joint, muscle, or leg pain, and developing swollen, bleeding gums. Individuals with this condition may also have red or blue spots on their skin, particularly on their legs and feet. In some cases, this may not be visible on darker skin tones. Additionally, their skin may bruise easily. These symptoms were reported by the NHS, which also stated that scurvy is a treatable condition if diagnosed early.
Recently, doctors in Australia published a case study in the journal BMJ Case Report about a middle-aged man who arrived at the hospital with an unexplained rash and bruises on his legs. Despite extensive investigations, including blood tests, scans, biopsies, and a CT scan, the medical team could not determine the cause of his illness. After a few days, it was discovered that the man, who was unemployed and lived alone, had been surviving on processed foods due to financial constraints. He had also undergone bariatric surgery eight years prior, which resulted in a reduced stomach size, and had stopped taking the prescribed vitamin and mineral supplements due to financial difficulties. This led to a diagnosis of scurvy, which, if left untreated, can be fatal.
In another report from Canada, a 65-year-old woman was diagnosed with scurvy at a Toronto hospital last year. She had been living on a diet of canned soup, canned tuna, white bread, and processed cheese, without consuming any fresh produce. She had also been experiencing discolouration on her legs for three months. Dr Sally Engelhart, the lead author of the report, stated that this was not the first case of scurvy she had seen in her career.
Despite having access to a variety of fresh produce, scurvy is still being seen in the Western world. According to Dr Andrew Dermawan, the author of the BMJ Case Report, scurvy is often seen as a disease of the past in developed countries. However, sporadic cases can occur, particularly in the elderly, individuals with alcoholism, and children with psychiatric or developmental issues. He also mentioned that scurvy is re-emerging due to the rising cost of living and can appear as soon as a month after consuming a vitamin C-deficient diet. In some cases, people may have restricted diets due to financial constraints, leading to a lack of vitamin C. Moreover, there are also regions in the world where access to fresh produce is limited, known as "food deserts," which can unintentionally result in a deficiency of vitamin C.
Treating scurvy involves prescribing high doses of vitamin C, along with other supplements and a well-balanced diet. After following this treatment plan, the Australian patient's symptoms disappeared, and he also started consuming a lemon daily. Similarly, the Canadian patient was also given high doses of vitamin C, leading to a full recovery.
According to the NHS, adults aged 19 to 64 need 40mg of vitamin C per day. Good sources of this vitamin include citrus fruits, peppers, strawberries, blackcurrants, broccoli, brussels sprouts, and potatoes. Before the discovery of the importance of vitamin C, scurvy was a common affliction among sailors, causing the death of millions of individuals throughout history. In 1747, a British surgeon named James Lind conducted a trial on a boat and found that oranges and lemons were an effective cure for scurvy. This discovery led to the compulsory distribution of lemon or lime juice on warships in 1795, earning British sailors the nickname "Limeys" from American sailors.
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