Scurvy is Back
Background and objective: Scurvy, caused by vitamin C deficiency, first described by Hippocrates, is known to many as ‘The Pirates’ Disease’. Although a disease rarely acknowledged in modern medicine, we present 2 cases of elderly gentlemen found to have scurvy, who improved significantly on treatme...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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SAGE Publishing
2018-11-01
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| Series: | Nutrition and Metabolic Insights |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1177/1178638818809097 |
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doaj-055b9cffbc6d4272b5e6969d611cad142020-11-25T03:00:30ZengSAGE PublishingNutrition and Metabolic Insights1178-63882018-11-011110.1177/1178638818809097Scurvy is BackClaire Ann CallusSamantha VellaPeter FerryBackground and objective: Scurvy, caused by vitamin C deficiency, first described by Hippocrates, is known to many as ‘The Pirates’ Disease’. Although a disease rarely acknowledged in modern medicine, we present 2 cases of elderly gentlemen found to have scurvy, who improved significantly on treatment. Methods: This study presents a case report of 2 patients undergoing rehabilitation at Karin Grech Hospital in Malta, noted to have signs and symptoms of vitamin C deficiency. Vitamin C levels were found to be low and thus supplementation was administered. Results: After a few weeks, a significant improvement was noted in level of frailty, mood, bleeding tendency, and gum health. Conclusions: The modern doctor must keep this ancient disease in mind, as it presents insidiously with debilitating repercussions, particularly in older people who are at a higher risk. It is easily treatable once detected.https://doi.org/10.1177/1178638818809097 |
| collection |
DOAJ |
| language |
English |
| format |
Article |
| sources |
DOAJ |
| author |
Claire Ann Callus Samantha Vella Peter Ferry |
| spellingShingle |
Claire Ann Callus Samantha Vella Peter Ferry Scurvy is Back Nutrition and Metabolic Insights |
| author_facet |
Claire Ann Callus Samantha Vella Peter Ferry |
| author_sort |
Claire Ann Callus |
| title |
Scurvy is Back |
| title_short |
Scurvy is Back |
| title_full |
Scurvy is Back |
| title_fullStr |
Scurvy is Back |
| title_full_unstemmed |
Scurvy is Back |
| title_sort |
scurvy is back |
| publisher |
SAGE Publishing |
| series |
Nutrition and Metabolic Insights |
| issn |
1178-6388 |
| publishDate |
2018-11-01 |
| description |
Background and objective: Scurvy, caused by vitamin C deficiency, first described by Hippocrates, is known to many as ‘The Pirates’ Disease’. Although a disease rarely acknowledged in modern medicine, we present 2 cases of elderly gentlemen found to have scurvy, who improved significantly on treatment. Methods: This study presents a case report of 2 patients undergoing rehabilitation at Karin Grech Hospital in Malta, noted to have signs and symptoms of vitamin C deficiency. Vitamin C levels were found to be low and thus supplementation was administered. Results: After a few weeks, a significant improvement was noted in level of frailty, mood, bleeding tendency, and gum health. Conclusions: The modern doctor must keep this ancient disease in mind, as it presents insidiously with debilitating repercussions, particularly in older people who are at a higher risk. It is easily treatable once detected. |
| url |
https://doi.org/10.1177/1178638818809097 |
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AT claireanncallus scurvyisback AT samanthavella scurvyisback AT peterferry scurvyisback |
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