A disease which was prevalent in the 15th century is making a surprising comeback in the 21st.
It’s known as the disease of pirates or sailors, as they would often become ill with scurvy while on long sea voyages without access to fresh fruit and vegetables.
Scurvy, which is caused by a vitamin C deficiency, has tripled in case numbers since 2007.
Symptoms include joint pain, swollen and bleeding gums, and extreme tiredness. Luckily, today it can be easily treated with vitamin supplements and foods like oranges.
But it’s resurgence has baffled doctors, as the disease has long been associated with pirates and a different era.
New reporters from Western Australia and Canada have revealed the disease is alive and well – with two patients, a middle-aged man and a 65-year-old woman both receiving treatment for the disease. But why?
Many factors could play into the rise of scurvy in the 21st century. Poor diet and a lack of vitamin C is the most common cause, but other issues come into play as well.
The cost of living crisis could be to blame, with many people opting for cheaper, non-nutritious food they can afford, rather than fresh produce.
Even weight loss medications could be to blame for the rise in scurvy. Reducing eating could lead to nutrient defencies, as seen in one case in Denmark.
Scurvy symptoms
- Feeling very tired and weak all the time
- Severe joint or leg pain
- Swollen or bleeding gums, or gums that feel loose around the teeth
- Having skin that bruises easily
- Red or blue spots on the skin, usually on legs
Some experts think our beige diets might be to blame.
In 2016 the Health and Social Care Information Centre issued a report that between 2009 and 2014, admissions related to scurvy had increased by 27%, while NHS data shows that hospital admissions for scurvy rose from 82 to 167 between 2010 and 2018.
While NHS data only showed 12 hospital admissions for scurvy for 2018/2019, there have been 5,108 admissions for deficiencies of other nutritional elements.
The good news about scurvy is that – in theory – it’s relatively easy to both treat and prevent – you just need to get enough vitamin C in your diet, either through varied food choices or taking supplements.
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
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