Symptoms And Causes Of Scurvy

11 May, 2009 No Comment

Fruits and veggies are direct sources of vitamin C or ascorbic acid. If on the other hand a person is not fond of eating fruits and vegetables, such deficiency increases the risks of incurring scurvy. Medically known as the Moeller’s, Barlow’s or Cheadle’s disease, this ailment affects young and old alike. People with scurvy are most likely to feel depressed because of their almost immobilized status and pale looks. Vitamin C deficient individuals usually have weaker, sometimes darker gums and loose or weaker teeth, joints and bones are weak and healing capacity for wounds is slower.

People with scurvy are incurring spots on their skins usually on the thigh or legs. They also lose the appetite resulting in weight loss and sustained nausea. On the other hand, vitamin C is not the only reason why people incur scurvy. There are actually other factors associated with such deficiency, such as excessive alcohol intake, extreme mental stress, inflammatory diseases, surgeries, burns or extreme exposure against cold or heat. An infant is also not excused from this disease, especially if he/she was not breastfed or if breastfeeding stopped sooner than necessary. However, scurvy can be treated even with the use of effective home remedy tactics.

Scurvy Home Remedies

Natural juices are good complements for vitamin c deficient individuals. For one, lemon juice extract mixed with honey in a glass of water (warm) can be taken twice a day. Berries like the Indian gooseberry can be eaten regularly to boost Vitamin C. You can also use powdered gooseberry mixed with equal amount of sugar and milk before going to bed. Alternatively, you can take a mixture of jaundice berry leaves boiled in 500 milliliter water. Another powdered fruit that’s very useful in boosting the Vitamin C content of the body is amchur. Add half teaspoon of this powder in one glass of water and drink it like your regular juice drink.

Along with breastfeeding, promote your infant’s Vitamin C by supplying him/her with cow’s milk. Good Vitamin C boosters are potatoes and that means 100 grams of potato intake is equivalent to 17 milligrams of extra Vitamin C. A very natural scurvy treatment is fresh air and morning sunshine.

Given that scurvy can be home treated naturally, it is important then that you identify the early signs of scurvy and take precautionary measures to prevent from incurring this ailment. This is only possible if you will increase your vitamin c intake every day.