Scurvy

Scurvy is a disease caused by severe, prolonged vitamin C deficiency. It's rare in most of the world today but still occurs — particularly in people with very restricted diets, severe malnutrition, alcohol dependence, or living in hardship. It is fully preventable and easily treated.

Symptoms

Symptoms develop after 1-3 months of severe vitamin C deficiency:

• Tiredness, weakness
• Irritability
• Aching muscles and joints
• Swollen, bleeding gums; loose teeth
• Easy bruising
• Corkscrew-shaped hairs on the arms and legs
• Slow wound healing, old scars reopening
• Anaemia
• In children — bone pain, swollen joints, irritability

Untreated scurvy can lead to serious bleeding, heart problems, and death.

Who is at risk?

• People with very restricted diets — severe eating disorders, picky eaters, isolation
• Homelessness, poverty with limited access to fresh food
• Heavy drinkers
• Some elderly people living alone
• Conditions that affect nutrient absorption — severe inflammatory bowel disease, short-bowel syndrome
• Smokers (slightly higher needs)
• Babies fed only processed milk without added vitamin C

Diagnosis and treatment

A doctor usually diagnoses scurvy from history and examination; blood vitamin C levels confirm. Treatment is straightforward — vitamin C supplementation. Symptoms begin to improve within days; full recovery takes a few weeks.

Prevention

A regular diet including vitamin-C-rich foods is enough for most people. Good Indian sources:

• Amla (Indian gooseberry) — exceptionally rich
• Guava
• Citrus fruits — lemon, orange, mosambi
• Papaya
• Capsicum (especially red)
• Tomato
• Drumstick leaves, broccoli, cabbage, coriander
• Potato (modest amount)