What Is Scurvy and How Does It Affect the Human Body?
Before we start with what is the meaning of Scurvy, note that it was discovered fairly late around the early 20th century after millions of sailors across the world had succumbed to the disease.
What is Scurvy?
Scurvy is a disease that is caused by a deficiency of Vitamin C (ascorbic acid). It is more likely to occur in individuals who have inadequate consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables in their diet. The Scurvy symptoms are dependent on the limited store of Vitamin C in the human body.
What are the Symptoms of Scurvy?
The symptoms of Scurvy disease are different in early and late stages. The early-stage symbols are non-specific. However, with the passage of time, there are clear indicators of Scurvy.
1. Early Symptoms
General feeling of unwell
Appetite loss
Fatigue
Diarrhoea
Nausea
Painful muscles and joints
Fever
Small bleeding points around hair follicles
2. Late Symptoms
Loose teeth
Spongy, swollen and purplish gum which is prone to bleeding
Bleeding into skin
Bulging eyes
Brownish, dry and scaly skin
Slow-healing wounds
Opening of healed scars
Bleeding from muscles and joints causing swelling over bones
Bone growth prematurely stopped
An afflicted individual is likely to display a combination of these Scurvy symptoms.
What Causes Scurvy?
Find out the Scurvy causes as indicated below –
No Vitamin C intake
Restrictive or unusual diet having a few Vitamin C sources
Anorexia or other eating disorder
Smoking (reduces Vitamin C absorption from food by the body)
Do You Know?
Limes were stored in huge quantities in British ships to prevent scurvy. In the 18th century, all British naval ships due for a long journey had to keep sufficient stock of limes. The nickname of British sailors as "limeys" continues till date.
Scurvy Treatment
Intake of Vitamin C is the primary treatment for Scurvy, and to that effect, a greater portion of fresh vegetables and fruits are recommended in diet. Vitamin C supplements may also be prescribed by medical practitioners.
In the absence of more apparent signs, blood tests help in detection of Scurvy. Proper treatment may provide relief within 48 hours to two weeks. Treatment should be initiated with the detection of early scurvy symptoms.
Different Sources of Vitamin C
Vitamin C was discovered by Hungarian biochemist Albert Szent-Gyorgyi in the 1930s that is about hundreds of years later after two million sailors had died from Scurvy. Vitamin C plays a crucial role in keeping bones healthy, maintaining tissues, and protecting blood vessels and cells.
As Scurvy disease is caused by the deficiency of Vitamin C, let us take a look at the different sources of the same.
Vegetables and herbs – red and green chilli peppers, bell peppers, dark green leafy vegetables, potatoes.
Fruits – guava, blackberries, lemons and limes, papaya, oranges, strawberries, kiwis.
If you are considering what prevents Scurvy, at least 10mg of Vitamin C intake per day is advised.
Scurvy Effects
Scurvy disease causes the following effects –
Persisting weakness and fatigue
Mental health issues
Severe joint pain
Bleeding swollen gums
Loss of teeth
Blue or red spots on skin particularly on shins
Skin bruises easily
Test Your Knowledge
i. Which of the following are signs of Scurvy?
(a) Appetite loss
(b) Fatigue
(c) Nausea
(d) All of the above
ii. Which of the following factors are causes of Scurvy?
(a) Lack of fresh vegetables and fruits in diet
(b) Alcohol consumption excess
(c) Restrictive diet due to allergy
(d) All of the above
Solutions: i. (d) All of the above, ii. (d) All of the above
Learn more about Scurvy symptoms and other related topics through our online classes. You can also download free pdf solutions that will enhance your knowledge. Now you can even download our Vedantu app for easier access to both the study materials and online interactive sessions.
FAQs on Scurvy: Causes, Symptoms & Treatments in Biology
1. What is scurvy and what is its primary cause in biology?
Scurvy is a disease caused by a severe and prolonged deficiency of Vitamin C (ascorbic acid). Since the human body cannot synthesise its own Vitamin C, it must be obtained entirely through diet. A lack of sufficient Vitamin C intake for at least three months results in the body's inability to perform vital functions, leading to the symptoms of scurvy.
2. What are the key symptoms of scurvy that students should know?
The symptoms of scurvy arise from impaired collagen production. Key signs include:
- Bleeding and swollen gums, which can become spongy and may lead to tooth loss.
- Perifollicular haemorrhage, appearing as small red or purple spots on the skin (petechiae), especially on the legs.
- Easy bruising (ecchymosis) and very slow healing of wounds.
- General fatigue, irritability, and pain in the limbs and joints (myalgia).
- In advanced stages, anaemia and oedema (swelling) can develop.
3. How is scurvy treated, and what types of foods help in recovery?
The treatment for scurvy is focused on replenishing the body's Vitamin C levels. This is typically done through:
- Prescribed oral or injected ascorbic acid supplements to quickly restore normal levels.
- Adopting a diet rich in Vitamin C. Foods that effectively treat and prevent scurvy include citrus fruits (oranges, lemons), berries, kiwi, bell peppers, broccoli, tomatoes, and leafy green vegetables.
4. Why does a lack of Vitamin C specifically lead to the symptoms of scurvy?
The biological reason for scurvy's symptoms is Vitamin C's essential role as a co-enzyme in the synthesis of collagen. Collagen is the primary structural protein in the body, providing strength and integrity to connective tissues like skin, bones, cartilage, and blood vessels. Without adequate Vitamin C, the body cannot form stable collagen fibres. This leads to weakened blood vessel walls, causing them to rupture easily (leading to bleeding and bruising), and compromised tissue repair, which explains poor wound healing and gum disease.
5. Is scurvy an infectious disease caused by bacteria or a virus?
No, this is a significant misconception. Scurvy is not an infectious disease and is not caused by any pathogen like a bacterium or virus. It is strictly a nutritional deficiency disease that results from an inadequate dietary intake of Vitamin C. Unlike contagious illnesses such as the flu or measles, scurvy cannot be transmitted from one person to another.
6. Why was scurvy historically so common among sailors on long sea voyages?
Scurvy was historically known as the 'plague of the sea' because sailors on long voyages subsisted on diets of preserved foods like dried meat and hard biscuits, which contain no Vitamin C. Without access to fresh fruits and vegetables for months, their body's limited stores of Vitamin C would become depleted, leading to the disease. The problem was famously solved after naval surgeon James Lind demonstrated in the 18th century that providing sailors with citrus fruits like lemons and limes could prevent and cure scurvy.
7. How is scurvy different from other vitamin deficiency diseases like pellagra?
While both are serious nutritional deficiencies, they are caused by a lack of different vitamins and impact distinct biological systems:
- Scurvy is caused by a deficiency of Vitamin C and primarily affects connective tissues due to impaired collagen synthesis, leading to symptoms like bleeding gums, bruising, and poor wound healing.
- Pellagra is caused by a deficiency of Vitamin B3 (Niacin) and is characterized by the '3 Ds': dermatitis, diarrhoea, and dementia, affecting the skin, gastrointestinal tract, and nervous system.
8. How quickly do the symptoms of scurvy improve after a person starts treatment?
Recovery from scurvy can be quite rapid once Vitamin C levels are restored. General symptoms like fatigue, pain, and lethargy often improve within 24 to 48 hours. More visible signs, such as bruising, skin haemorrhages, and bleeding gums, typically begin to heal within 1 to 2 weeks. Complete recovery, especially for any associated bone issues, may take a few months, depending on the initial severity of the deficiency.
