Beriberi

Introduction
Deficiency of vitamin B1 (thiamine) leads to a condition called beriberi. Beriberi is a disease characterized by the neurological and gastrointestinal disease. In some rare cases it can also affect the heart. Vitamin B1 is a must for metabolism of fats and carbohydrates for routine functioning of the nerve tissues and enzymes. Thiamine is also found in our bodies in muscles, kidneys, heart, brain and liver. The effects of the deficiency of the thiamine can be noticed in many other systems of the body. Severity of beriberi can lead to paralysis or even death. It is a common disease in our fast growing world, where the use of polished rice is on rise. Vitamin B1 is the first vitamin discovered of vitamin B family. Thiamine is present in most of the food. Beriberi has three kinds which include infantile beriberi, cerebral beriberi, wet beriberi which is chronic and deadly one. Dry beriberi is the condition in which mostly cardiac system is affected.

Alternative Names
Thiamine deficiency is the alternative name for beriberi.

Causes
One of the causes is the use of polished rice and other food content which do not have thiamine in them. Diet low in vitamin B leads to beriberi. Normal routine diet has the proper amount of thiamine in it but people who have strange habits of eating are more likely to suffer from beriberi. Beriberi has a crippling effect on its patients as beriberi means I can’t, I can’t. It leaves the persons disabled. Alcoholics can also be victimized by beriberi. It is more commonly found in people who have rice in their daily use and that even the polished one. Junk food is also a cause of beriberi. Smoking can also have adverse affects and can cause beriberi. Although no age limit is there, but usually young children who needs vitamins more can suffer from beriberi if not given proper amount of thiamine.

Risk Factors

It is found in Asia more than other regions because the people in Asia use rice more.
Alcohol users are more prone to beriberi as alcohol reduces the amount of vitamin B.

Symptoms & Signs

Early symptoms include fatigue.
Poor memory.
In dry beriberi the feet experience the sensation of burning.
Bluish color of skin.
Shortness of breath can indicate heart failure.
The patient may make stories to explain his behavior but those stories are hard to believe.
Later the arms can be included in it also.
Vomiting.
Eye movement is uncontrollable.
Confusion is found in patients with wet beriberi.
They may have difficulty in speech.
Walking can become difficult as the disease progresses.
Feeling tingling.
Numbness can be noticed in a person’s behavior.
It can have worse effects as coma and death.

Diagnosis
Apart from symptoms, the doctor may need to know about patient’s history of living style and eating habits. Shortness of breath indicates heart problems which can be caused by beriberi. Beriberi can be fatal if not cured. A complete medical examination is required to check the level of thiamine in the body. In this aspect blood and urine test can be done to determine the level of vitamin B in the samples taken out of the patient’s body. If red blood cells in the body are affected it means beriberi is diagnosed because beriberi mostly affects the red blood cells. EEG and neurological assessment can also help in diagnosing the disease.

Prevention
Proper diet containing large amount of vitamin B are best prevention for beriberi. Pregnant and child feeding women should take proper nutritional care to prevent their children from beriberi.

Treatment
Proper treatment is very necessary of beriberi as it can result in fatal conditions. The treatment includes proper nutritional diet and medication. There are many vitamin B supplements to prevent from beriberi.

Primary Natural Supplements
Vitamins

Vitamin B12

Other Natural Supplements

Brewer’s Yeast
Bran

Dietary Guidelines

Avoid all food which depletes thiamine such as junk food.
Do not use alcohol.
Eat large amounts of whole grain daily.
Include mushrooms broccoli, and yogurt in your daily diet.

Home Care Suggestions
Quit smoking at earliest. Do not use alcohol and give awareness of alcohol’s use that it is responsible for beriberi as it lowers the absorption of vitamin B.

Mind/Body Considerations
For a person suffering from thiamine deficiency it is best to relax and avoid any stressful activity.


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