Scurvy

How would you get scurvy?

Lack of vitamin C which are found in fruits and vegetables

What are some symptoms of scurvy?

• Bleeding gums

• Loose teeth

• Purpura/Petechiae (purple spotting across the skin)

• Bleeding and bruising

• Fatigue

If scurvy is left untreated, what happens?

• Pain and swelling

• Hemolysis of RBC

• Death

• Organ failure

• Convulsions

Overall, poor prognosis 

Collagen 

Type of protein 

• Long chain 

• Triple Helix 

• Cross linked 

Why does scurvy happen when you lack vitamin c?

Vitamin C allows for cross-linking

• Without it, collagen is weak

• Anything with collagen (connective tissues) weaken

Why does scurvy happen in only humans, not animals?

It is water-soluble so it cannot be stored efficiently and humans cannot make their own vitamin c unlike animal.