thiamin deficiency disease
Introduction to Thiamin deficiency disease
Vitamin B1 is otherwise called thiamine and hence belongs to the water-soluble vitamin B complex family. It was not until later 1890s that the Dutch medical officers Eijkman and Grijns, working in Java, recognized the similarity of polyneuritis in birds and the disease beriberi in humans. On experimenting, it was found that this disease was caused due to deficiency in vitamin B1.
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Symptoms & Effects of Thiamine deficiency
The thiamine molecule like other B-complex vitamins is water soluble, white crystalline solid. Thiamine is very stable either in its crystallized state or in an acid solution or even when it is heated. In a neutral or alkaline solution thiamine tends to be unstable which makes it sensitive to heat, oxygen and ultraviolet light.
Thiamine deficiency causes polyneuritis and, possibly, Wernicke’s encephalopathy and Korsakoff’s psychosis. In infants, this deficiency causes infantile beriberi thus producing edema, irritability, abdominal pain, pallor, vomiting, loss of voice and, possibly, seizures. While wet beriberi causes severe edema that starts in the legs and moves up through the body; dry beriberi results in multiple neurologic symptoms and an emaciated appearance. Cardiomegaly, palpitations, tachycardia, dyspnea, and circulatory collapse are also rooted to thiamine deficiency. However, constipation and indigestion are common; ataxia, nystagmus, and ophthalmoplegia can also occur.
Symptoms of mild thiamine deficiency:
Tiredness
Irritability
Sleep disturbance
Beriberi is a symptom for more severe thiamine deficiency;
Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is yet another condition caused due to severe thiamine deficiency and alcoholism
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Effect of thiamine deficiency in various parts of the body
Heart and blood vessels- This deficiency results into enlarged heart. Congestive heart failure results in increase in circulating blood volume.
Nervous system- This deficiency causes Polyneuritis which affects the autonomic, sensory and motor nerves; paraesthesia and hyperesthesia caused due to loss of ankle and knee jerks with muscle wasting and paralysis which results in symmetrical wrist- and foot-drop.
Eye - Thiamine deficiency may be one of the reasons for nutritional amblyopia.
Gastrointestinal tract – Vitamin B1 deficiency can cause constipation with abdominal distension and colicky pains with or without anorexia, nausea, vomiting.
Conclusion to thiamine deficiency
In order to avoid cases of thiamine deficiency, it is important to not only consume good wholesome foods but also take extra supplements to balance the daily intakes.
Vitamin B1 is otherwise called thiamine and hence belongs to the water-soluble vitamin B complex family. It was not until later 1890s that the Dutch medical officers Eijkman and Grijns, working in Java, recognized the similarity of polyneuritis in birds and the disease beriberi in humans. On experimenting, it was found that this disease was caused due to deficiency in vitamin B1.
Please express your views of this topic Chemical Nomenclature Rules by commenting on blog.
Symptoms & Effects of Thiamine deficiency
The thiamine molecule like other B-complex vitamins is water soluble, white crystalline solid. Thiamine is very stable either in its crystallized state or in an acid solution or even when it is heated. In a neutral or alkaline solution thiamine tends to be unstable which makes it sensitive to heat, oxygen and ultraviolet light.
Thiamine deficiency causes polyneuritis and, possibly, Wernicke’s encephalopathy and Korsakoff’s psychosis. In infants, this deficiency causes infantile beriberi thus producing edema, irritability, abdominal pain, pallor, vomiting, loss of voice and, possibly, seizures. While wet beriberi causes severe edema that starts in the legs and moves up through the body; dry beriberi results in multiple neurologic symptoms and an emaciated appearance. Cardiomegaly, palpitations, tachycardia, dyspnea, and circulatory collapse are also rooted to thiamine deficiency. However, constipation and indigestion are common; ataxia, nystagmus, and ophthalmoplegia can also occur.
Symptoms of mild thiamine deficiency:
Tiredness
Irritability
Sleep disturbance
Beriberi is a symptom for more severe thiamine deficiency;
Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is yet another condition caused due to severe thiamine deficiency and alcoholism
Is this topic equation for half life hard for you? Watch out for my coming posts.
Effect of thiamine deficiency in various parts of the body
Heart and blood vessels- This deficiency results into enlarged heart. Congestive heart failure results in increase in circulating blood volume.
Nervous system- This deficiency causes Polyneuritis which affects the autonomic, sensory and motor nerves; paraesthesia and hyperesthesia caused due to loss of ankle and knee jerks with muscle wasting and paralysis which results in symmetrical wrist- and foot-drop.
Eye - Thiamine deficiency may be one of the reasons for nutritional amblyopia.
Gastrointestinal tract – Vitamin B1 deficiency can cause constipation with abdominal distension and colicky pains with or without anorexia, nausea, vomiting.
Conclusion to thiamine deficiency
In order to avoid cases of thiamine deficiency, it is important to not only consume good wholesome foods but also take extra supplements to balance the daily intakes.