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What is pellagra and its symptoms?

What is pellagra and its symptoms?

The main symptoms of pellagra are dermatitis, dementia, and diarrhea. This is because niacin deficiency is most noticeable in body parts with high rates of cell turnover, such as your skin or gastrointestinal tract. Dermatitis related to pellagra usually causes a rash on the face, lips, feet, or hands.

What 4 things caused pellagra?

Pellagra is a systemic disease that results from severe vitamin B3 (Niacin) deficiency. Mild deficiency may go unnoticed, but a diet chronically low or without Niacin may result in the 4 D’s: diarrhea, dermatitis, dementia, and possibly even death. Usually diarrhea will occur before the other D’s.

What food causes pellagra?

What causes pellagra? The most common cause of pellagra is inadequate intake of the B vitamin known as niacin (primary pellagra). The most typical cause of primary pellagra is not consuming enough green vegetables, seafood, meat, and eggs. Alcoholism is commonly associated with pellagra as the result of malnutrition.

Can pellagra be cured?

Oral therapy with nicotinamide or niacin usually is effective in reversing the clinical manifestations of pellagra. Because patients are often malnourished and have other vitamin deficiencies, provisions for a high-protein diet and the administration of B-complex vitamins are needed for complete recovery.

What is the cure for pellagra?

What happens if you have too much vitamin B3?

When doses of over 3 grams per day of niacin are taken, more serious side effects can happen. These include liver problems, gout, ulcers of the digestive tract, loss of vision, high blood sugar, irregular heartbeat, and other serious problems.

What happens if you have a lack of vitamin C?

Scurvy happens when there is a lack of vitamin C, or ascorbic acid. The deficiency leads to symptoms of weakness, anemia, gum disease, and skin problems. This is because vitamin C is needed for making collagen, an important component in connective tissues.

Where does the word pellagra come from and why?

The word pellagra is likely a coined scientific term based on Latin pellis (“skin”) and the Greek suffix -agra, “seized by”, as in podagra. Alternatively, pellagra may be an Italian or, more precisely, Lombard coinage.

What are the signs and symptoms of pellagra syndrome?

Pellagra syndrome is characterized by Dermatitis, Diarrhea, Dementia, which leads to Death. Patients suffering from pellagra have symptoms of brown discoloration of the skin, especially in sun-exposed areas. Advanced stages of pellagra cause increased pigmentation, which usually leads to thin varnish-like eruptive scales.

What is the best way to treat pellagra?

The treatment approach for pellagra depends on treating the underlying cause for pellagra. Treatment will include returning niacin and tryptophan (if needed) to normal levels. Administering supplements will help to replenish these substances until balance is restored.

How does pellagra affect the digestive system and nerves?

Pellagra is a disease that affects your digestive system, skin, and nerves, resulting in dermatitis, diarrhea, and mental disorders. The most common cause of pellagra is not having enough niacin (primary pellagra). Other causes of pellagra are associated with digestive disorders that reduce the absorption of niacin in your body.

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