Sealing the Deal on Scurvy

The more a person focuses on natural and healthy foods, the more he or she is taking in nutrients. Thus, allowing his or her body to have the nutrients it needs to perform fully. One of those nutrients is Vitamin C. Vitamin C is important because it boosts the immune system. Aside from that, it is also vital for wound healing.  

However, when the body lacks the Vitamin C that it needs, it could lead to the disease called scurvy. It is also called the sailor’s disease since during the Age of Exploration many sailors were afflicted with the disease. 

About the Signs and Symptoms of Scurvy 

Most often the manifestation of the signs and symptoms of scurvy begin with weight loss or having a thin appearance. This is because of the gradual loss of body fluids. Along with it comes general body weakness. Then other signs and symptoms will begin to appear. 

One of these signs and symptoms is the tendency to bleed or hemorrhage. Nose and bleeding gums are also common symptoms. In addition, the lack of vitamin C allows the wall of the capillaries to be permeable. This means that blood could seep through the capillary walls and out.  

There could also be frailness of the bones. This could lead to fracture since the bones of a person with scurvy become weak. It is because vitamin C is important in providing strong bones. Bone pain and muscle pain could also be felt by people with scurvy.  

There is also the presence of delayed wound healing among persons with the disease. Thus, they are at risk for developing infections. 

About the Prevention, Management and Treatment of Scurvy 

The simplest way to prevent scurvy is to take the necessary vitamin, which is Vitamin C. Aside from taking supplements, people could intake foods that are rich in Vitamin C. Green and leafy vegetables are rich sources of Vitamin C. Therefore, assuring that there are servings of food rich in Vitamin C could help prevent scurvy.  

It is also the same with the management and treatment of scurvy. Intake of Vitamin C is important in treating the disease. Moreover, having scurvy today would not be that fatal. In fact, the death toll of scurvy patients today is close to zero.