Canada faces threat of 18th-century disease, health experts warn
An ancient disease of the 18th century was diagnosed in Canada (RBC-Ukraine collage)
A disease that was widespread in the 18th century and most commonly affected sailors has resurfaced in one country. Doctors are concerned and are warning about the symptoms and ways to prevent this disease, CTV News reports.
In Canada, the number of cases of a disease once associated with sailors has suddenly risen. This refers to scurvy, a dangerous condition caused by a severe vitamin C deficiency in the human body.
Over the past week, doctors in northern Saskatchewan have detected 27 cases of scurvy. They primarily link this to a broader issue of poverty and vitamin deficiency in rural and remote areas across the country.
"Vitamin C comes from lots of different food sources, but if you don't get those food sources, the body can't do what it needs to do," explains Dr. Jeff Irvine.
Scurvy can be identified through blood tests, vitamin C deficiency tests, and physical examinations. Anyone can develop this condition, but all identified cases involve people aged 20 to 80.
Common symptoms of scurvy include fatigue, joint pain, bruising, bleeding gums, and loose teeth. Diagnosing the disease can be difficult because testing for vitamin C is not a standard practice, and most symptoms could mistakenly lead doctors to suspect other health problems.
Scurvy develops slowly. With acute vitamin C deficiency, the first symptoms may appear within one to three months. However, just a few days of changes in diet can lead to improvement. Vitamin C supplements can also be taken to prevent deficiency.
Fruits and vegetables are the main sources of vitamin C, and the recommended daily intake varies based on age and sex. Adult men should get up to 90 mg of vitamin C daily, while adult women need at least 70 mg of vitamin C per day.
Scientists emphasize that food insecurity has sharply risen over the past year, increasing by 5% (from 18.4% to 22.9%). This figure is even higher in some regions, ranging from 28% to 29%.
Transportation costs and the limited shelf life of fresh produce mean that stores in remote areas are forced to discontinue fresh items and focus on long-lasting products and those with extended shelf lives. This results in a severe lack of vitamin-rich options.
Additionally, many people are now facing high food prices, which exacerbates the problem. This is especially noticeable in winter when fresh greens and most healthy fruits and vegetables are unavailable due to their high prices.
Earlier, we reported on the signs of dehydration.
We also discussed which vitamin deficiencies lead to leg pain.
This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.
