Scurvy in Canada: A woman, 65 years old, confirmed in a recent case – Agen BRILink and BRI – Agenbrilink.net

Recent Issues in Canada cheating show that this disease is not just an old diagnosis of 18th century sailors.

After a 65-year-old Toronto woman was diagnosed with scabies last year, researchers said doctors should be aware of possible scabies cases.

Research published Monday in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) describes the case of a woman who was admitted to the emergency department after having “progressive leg weakness and poor mobility” over eight days. Doctors also watch for skin lesions, gum changes, anemia, and other symptoms.

He was diagnosed with scurvy, also known as hypovitaminosis C, a disease caused by severe vitamin C deficiency, according to researchers. Vitamin C plays an important role in many metabolic processes, collagen production and wound healing.

Doctors are advised to be careful about cases of scurvy, such as in patients with abnormal bleeding. (Pexels)

Possible symptoms

Scurvy can initially have symptoms such as fatigue, lethargy, weakness, irritability and low mood, which researchers say can make it difficult to diagnose the disease quickly. Additionally, vitamin C test results take time; in this particular case, it took two weeks. Over time, some common signs of this condition include coiled “corkscrew” hair because the hair producing cells do not receive enough blood, perifollicular bleeding, bruising, hematoma formation, musculoskeletal pain, infection gum, and anemia.

Scurvy can also cause cardiorespiratory symptoms, such as shortness of breath, chest pain, hot flashes, and night sweats.

What are the risk factors?

A thorough assessment of the Toronto patient’s social history and diet helped doctors diagnose him with scurvy.

Scurvy has many risk factors, but patients with low socioeconomic status or who do not have enough quality food may be at greater risk of developing the disease, according to the researchers.

The diagnosis was made after considering the woman’s medical and social history, the study said. There was a history of high blood pressure, dyslipidemia, hypothyroidism, anxiety and depression. In addition, he said he smoked half a pack of cigarettes a day, which researchers say could be a cause of scurvy.

In addition, she had had “significant limitations” in her daily activities, such as shopping and preparing food, for several years due to muscle pain that made walking difficult, according to the study. He also mentioned little social or family support, meaning there was a poor diet of mostly soup and fish, as well as vitamin deficiencies.

The study cited data showing that vitamin C deficiency is more common in people of lower socioeconomic status.

Although scurvy often has no symptoms and rarely requires serious treatment, the report’s authors said doctors should still consider the diagnosis, especially in patients with unusual bleeding. as well as fatigue, edema or shortness of breath. In addition, physicians should consider patients at high risk for vitamin C deficiency, including pediatric patients, smokers, or those with substance abuse disorders. , malabsorption syndromes, or restricted eating patterns, such as patients with autism spectrum disorders, or who receive tea. and a toast diet.

Check the result

While the Toronto woman was in the hospital, doctors noticed that skin discoloration on both thighs had been occurring for about three months. Before going to hospital, the woman’s family doctor had prescribed today’s antifungal treatment for her skin lesions, believing it to be tinea cruris, also known as jock itch, but it did not help . The woman had also experienced a similar skin rash about a year earlier, which disappeared “unexpectedly”.

When he was in the hospital, he had normal vital signs and no fever, although his gums were bruised and swollen, according to doctors.

Handling

After he was diagnosed with severe scurvy, doctors gave him 1,000 mg of intravenous vitamin C for seven days, then 1,000 mg of oral vitamin C daily.

“His lower leg weakness began to improve after vitamin C treatment was started,” the researchers wrote.

He was later admitted to a rehabilitation center.

Although vitamin C is a recommended treatment, doctors say they are not yet convinced that clear, evidence-based guidelines are available.