A 65-Year-Old Woman Was Diagnosed With A Disease Associated With Pirates In The 18th Century That’s Caused By Severe Vitamin C Deficiency
Before humans knew about the importance of vitamin C, seafarers in the 18th century would set sail with nothing but salted meats and dry biscuits to sustain them on long voyages.
Those foods may be preserved well, but they did not provide the necessary nutrients to prevent sailors from developing scurvy.
Scurvy is a disease caused by a serious vitamin C deficiency and can lead to major dental issues if left untreated, such as bleeding gums and loosened teeth.
Scurvy is usually associated with pirates, and it makes sense why the disease would crop up because they didn’t have access to fruits and vegetables in the middle of the ocean.
In today’s day and age, it seems that scurvy shouldn’t be a problem because we have plenty of fresh produce and vitamin supplements available.
However, scurvy is still affecting people in 2024, even if they’re not sailing across the sea for months at a time.
A new study has recorded a case of scurvy in a 65-year-old woman dealing with mobility issues and social isolation.
The patient arrived at a hospital emergency room with some strange symptoms. She had difficulty moving around, and her legs were weakening progressively.
About three months before, she noticed that she had skin discoloration on her thighs. It was misdiagnosed as a fungal infection during a telehealth visit with her family doctor. So, the anti-fungal cream she was prescribed did not help at all.
cegli – stock.adobe.com – illustrative purposes only
According to the researchers of the new study, the woman lived alone without much social support. For years, her mobility issues had been causing her to struggle with activities like cooking and grocery shopping.
As a result, her diet became restricted to mostly canned soups, white bread, tuna fish, and processed cheese.
When she arrived at the hospital, the doctors noticed patches that resembled bruises around her groin area and upper legs. There were also small, reddish-purple spots on her lower legs.
In addition, her gums were swollen and appeared to be bleeding. Her symptoms and dietary history led the doctors to a diagnosis of scurvy. It was confirmed when blood tests revealed an extremely low level of vitamin C in her body.
Vitamin C deficiency is actually more common than you would think in modern times. Researchers estimate that about 5.9 percent of the United States population suffers from low vitamin C levels. Therefore, they are at risk of developing scurvy.
The woman’s case shows that nutritional deficiencies can occur even in developed countries. Vulnerable populations, such as those experiencing social isolation, limited mobility, and food insecurity, can be in danger of contracting scurvy.
For a week, the patient received high doses of vitamin C intravenously. Afterward, she took oral supplements.
Her condition started to improve, so she was discharged to a rehabilitation facility where a plan for her follow-up care would be carried out.
Overall, the case study emphasizes the importance of getting the proper nutrition in the 21st century and reveals how social and economic factors can impact health.
The study was published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.
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