Scurvy is already a practically forgotten disease,arising due to the strongest avitaminosis. Now, on the territory of the Russian Federation, you already do not meet this ailment, but in the past it killed thousands of people, among whom were mostly navigators, warriors and travelers. The danger has not completely passed, in our days, though rarely, but this terrible diagnosis is made, so it is very important that people know what the disease is like, scurvy, the causes of the onset. And they were aware of what preventive measures exist. In this case, the phrase "Warning - means, armed" is very relevant.
The answer to this question is simple.The disease occurs when the elements of connective tissue are destroyed, which leads to the fact that the walls of the blood vessels become fragile. Also lose their strength of bone and cartilage, the work of the bone marrow is disrupted. Scurvy develops with a lack of vitamin C, which is its main reason for the appearance. It happens that the vitamin enters the body, but for certain reasons it is not absorbed. Many will doubt, really because of a lack of one vitamin it is possible to get sick and die ?! It is possible, if it is a question of ascorbic acid. Vitamin C is involved in the processes in the thyroid gland producing hormones. It promotes the normal assimilation of glucose by cells, the formation of collagen protein. Vitamin C is an excellent antioxidant that destroys free radicals in the body, toxins that increase the protective function of the immune system involved in the absorption of iron.
For the first time about this disease they started talking in the 13thcentury. Sailors sailing off the coast of Spain and heading for California, were not at all ready for the fact that for many it was the last voyage. Exhausting the supplies of fruits and vegetables that were on the ship, people very quickly fell ill with scurvy. Their skin became unhealthy color, covered with ulcers, purple-red spots. Most of the teeth fell out, the bones began to ache and become fragile, breathing was difficult. In the end, the ship lost its team in full force.
Later, James Cook found the answer to the question,why a man has scurvy. It took him many years to solve the problem, but he still came to the conclusion that the best medicine for this infection is freshly squeezed lime juice. That is why later British sailors and received the nickname "limeysy." If this discovery were made earlier, the Spanish sailors would not have died in the open sea, but successfully moored to the shores of California
If a month does not eat foods containing vitamin C, then you can get scurvy. Symptoms that are manifested at an early stage are the following:
If it were not for the last two symptoms, scurvy can be confused with an ordinary cold. But you need to be more attentive to your body, since further symptoms are manifested by increasing.
Due to the cessation of collagen protein production,responsible for the health of the skin, bones, muscles and blood vessels, gums begin to soften and inflame, teeth loosen and fall out, internal bleeding occurs inside muscles and joints, bruises appear on the body, and the skin becomes red-brown in color, becomes dry and flaky. Outwardly, it is easy to recognize a person who has scurvy.
Iron absorption processes due to lack of vitaminC is terminated, causing anemia, arthritis, and diseases associated with the liver and the heart. Observed intoxication of the body in the form of incessant vomiting and diarrhea.
Развивается сердечная недостаточность, организм depleted, manifested fatigue, begin to grow malignant tumors. All this is due to the lack of natural antioxidants in the body.
Lack of vitamin C reduces the immune system, so a person becomes sluggish and vulnerable to other infectious diseases.
Finding out why a person is sick with scurvy, you needfind out by what analyzes it is possible to timely reveal its origin in the body. As a rule, a complete blood count is sufficient. White blood cells show whether they are deficient in vitamin C or not. It should be noted that the risk group includes the elderly, whose body is more sensitive to the lack of ascorbic acid. Residents of poor countries can not provide a full menu with all the necessary vitamins, therefore, too, more often than others can find in themselves such a disease as scurvy.
Some experts, answering the question aboutwhy a person is sick with scurvy, they name 2 reasons: not only a lack, but also an excess of ascorbic acid, therefore it is important to know the required daily dose. For an adult, it is 50 mg, for athletes - 80-100 mg. Children under 7 years old need no more than 30 mg, and older - 50-70 mg. Freshly squeezed juices from citrus fruits, radishes, currants, sorrel and cabbage are the most useful; dried fruits, fresh vegetables and fruits with minimal heat treatment; pine beer.
When the raspberry season comes, you can use it up to 600 g per day in 3-4 doses.
Prevention of not only scurvy, but also of many other diseases - a balanced healthy diet, which gives the body all the necessary vitamins and minerals.
