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I have been set a Science Assignment and have chosen to do Scurvy under the catergory 'Disease.'
I have written a short report which i plan to present as an oral presentation along with a PowerPoint slideshow.
If you have any knowledge on the subject please read my report, comment and/ or suggest other points for me to include.
PLEASE! I really want good marks for this and I'd love some expert advice.

Scurvy is a non-infectious deficiency disease caused by a lack or Vitamin C. Scurvy can cause many infections and disfigurations including liver spots, 'spongy' gums and bleeding from all mucous membranes. (These membranes line various
body cavities that are exposed to the external environment and internal organs.) Scurvy is also often referred to as Barlow's Disease, after Sir Thomas Barlow, a british physician who first described it. Scurvy does not only infect humans, animals such as Primates and Guinea Pigs are also at risk as they have a natural Vitamin C defficiency.

The symptoms of this disease include
'Purplish' spots on the skin, especially the legs
'Spongy' gums
Bleeding Mucous Membranes
Pallor (a reduced amount of oxyhemoglobin in skin or mucous membranes which results in pale colouration of the skin.) -Oxyhemoglobin is the oxygen-loaded form of hemoglobin, the predominant protein in red blood cells.
Sunken Eyes
Opening of healed scars
Separation of knitted bone fractures.

History
Scurvy was first discovered in the early 13th Century, however it was not until 1747 that citrus was proven as the best and most affective cure. The connection between Vitamin C and Scurvy was not discovered until 1932.

Modern Incidence
Infants and elderly people are at high risk of Scurvy and it is very common for people of that category to become infected with the disease. (Even I had it when I was a baby!!!) Scurvy is rare in adults, however if they become infected Scurvy can easily prove fatal, much like the mumps.

Prevention
Scurvy can easily be prevented by a diet of citrus fruits (such as oranges and lemons) and/ or Vitamin C supplements.

2007-10-21 21:21:18 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health Diseases & Conditions Other - Diseases

5 answers

Pretty good work.
A few Corrections/Additions:

Almost all fresh fruits and green vegetables contain
some ascorbic acid, (Vitamin C), Citrus is not
the only source, not even the best, (otherwise
half the world would be afflicted with scurvy).

One doesn't become 'infected` with scurvy.
There is no pathogen. One exhibits symptoms
or is afflicted with it.

It is called a "deficiency disease".

Humans and the other animals you mention are
vulnerable to scurvy, not because of a deficiency.
They are incapable of synthesizing their own
supply of ascorbic acid, and must find it in their
diets.

2007-10-21 21:46:00 · answer #1 · answered by Irv S 7 · 0 0

Scurvy is a hallmark that there's a loss of nutrition C within the frame. An early indication that one has scurvy is their enamel will harm. Not a toothache however a common hurting of the enamel and gums. As this results in different gum in infections you'll get bleeding of the gums while biting into anything or chewing. Eventually, the enamel and gums cross black and the enamel come to be brittle and holiday or fall out. Scurvy used to be first famous while lengthy distance crusing used to be undertaken. Mostly, sailors could keep inside sight of land and had been ready to land and get recent meals however because the trips grew to become longer - months and even years at at time - the sailors relied extra closely on preserved (salted) meats and very little veggies or end result. The medication for it used to be first learned via English sailors while limes had been transported again to England from tropical lands. Enough limes had been transported that the workforce had been allowed to have a few for the period of the commute. It used to be then spotted that those who ate the limes had been much less prone to black enamel. Soon the British army made it essential for all English vessels to bring ample limes for the workforce with the intention to hinder this debilitating ailment. Thats how British sailors obtained the nickname "Limeys" You can not agreement scurvy from any individual else, handiest as a nutrition C deficiency. Additional: If you get a toothache, take a look at dissolving a nutrition C capsule immediately at the enamel. It might take two or three however it is going to give up the toothache.

2016-09-05 19:27:39 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0 0

Scurvy
(Vitamin C Deficiency, Scorbutus)



Definition
Scurvy is a condition caused by an insufficient amount of vitamin C. The condition causes weakness, anemia , and gingivitis . Scurvy is very rare in the United States and occurs most commonly in malnourished older adults.

Causes
Scurvy is typically caused by a diet lacking in fruits and vegetables or foods fortified with vitamin C.

Risk Factors


The following factors increase your chance of developing scurvy:

Eating a poor diet, with little or no fruits and vegetables
Little or no vitamin C in the diet
Anorexia nervosa
Alcoholism
Poor dentition
Gastrointestinal diseases
Food faddism
Self-imposed restrictive diets for weight loss or due to food allergies

Symptoms
Symptoms include:

Weakness
Paleness
Sunken eyes
Tender gums and/or tooth loss
Muscular pain
Reopening of old wounds or sores
Internal bleeding
Loss of appetite
Bruising easily
Weight loss; inability to gain weight
Diarrhea
Increased heart rate
Fever
Irritability
Aching and swelling in joints

Diagnosis
Scurvy can be diagnosed during a physical exam, based on an analysis of symptoms and diet.Often a blood test to measure ascorbic acid is done.

Treatment
The treatment for scurvy is simple and effective. To eliminate symptoms and make a full recovery, increase vitamin C intake to recommended levels. You can increase vitamin C levels via:

A diet rich in citrus fruits, other fruits, and vegetables
Vitamin C supplements
Prevention
To help reduce your chances of getting scurvy, take the following steps:

Eat a healthy, balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables.
Consume a sufficient amount of vitamin C, through diet and/or supplements.

Do not use the word infected with scurvy in your text since it's not an infectious disease.

Good luck!

2007-10-21 22:28:24 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

Under the sufferers nails, red and white patches begin to appear. Scurvy can be fatal.

2007-10-22 01:21:09 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

very good,,,seems u have covered every area about the diesease...Scurvy was initially discovered by sailors who had to sail for many months without seeing land

2007-10-21 21:27:42 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

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