By: Ash Hall and Maria Kiviniemi

Scurvy is also called Vitamin C deficiency. Scurvy causes general weakness, anemia, gum disease, and skin hemorrhages.

Lack of Vitamin C in your diet is one of the main causes of scurvy but there also can be other contributing factors such as: dependency on alcohol or drugs, being elderly and unable to maintain a healthy diet, anorexia, smoking, and conditions that affect a person’s ability to digest food.

- generally feeling unwell -fatigue -loss of appetite -nausea -diarrhea -fever -painful joints and muscles -small ‘pinpoint’ bleeding around hair follicles visible in the skin.

- swollen, spongy and purplish gums that are prone to bleeding -loose teeth -bulging eyes -bleeding into the skin (severe and easy bruising) -scaly, dry and brownish skin -very dry hair that curls and breaks off close to the skin -slow-healing wounds -opening of previously healed scars -bleeding into the joints and muscles, which causes areas of swelling over the bones of the arms and legs -premature stopping of bone growth (in babies and children).

Scurvy was often seen in sailors on long voyages in the 15 th century. Many people died from the disease until they found that vitamin C was the cure. People who are alcoholics, elderly, children, or people with any medical condition that prevents the absorption of vitamin C are at risk to get scurvy.

Scurvy is relatively easy to treat – the person simply needs to increase their daily intake of vitamin C. A doctor may recommend a short-term course of vitamin C supplements (usually a minimum of 250 mg per day) to speed relief of symptoms.

If Scurvy is left untreated it can lead to complications including anemia, heart attack or death. So remember to drink your orange juice!

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