A nervous disease, Beriberi is caused by a diet deficient in thiamin (vitamin B1). Literally, Beriberi means “I can’t, I can’t “in Singhalese that surely reflects the sever crippling effect it exerts on the patients.
Thiamine is involved in the process of energy molecules like glucose breakdown. It is also present on neuron membranes. Beriberi exhibits these signs:
How to treat?
This is a crucial question that has been well answered practically by various experts in the field of medicine.
Thiamine supplements
Since beriberi is caused by lack of vitamin B1, its best prevented or treated with providing the right amount of thiamine to the patient. This is done through supplements of the vitamin. These supplements are given orally or by injection. Besides this, other vitamins may also be recommended to the patient.
How to assess the effectiveness of the vitamin given to the affected person? The simple method is subsequent blood tests that determine whether vitamin supplements are working or not.
Thiamine hydrochloride
It is given in the form of a tablet or directly injected into the blood. Thiamine hydrochloride brings a rapid recovery within hours. Health gets improved within the same day when the treatment begins.
Thiamin-rich diet
During an emergency situation, where the availability of supplements is not possible such as remote village areas that lack expert physicians, clinic, hospitals and pharmacies; diet is taken help from. Foods that have high content of thiamine such as whole grain cereals, fresh meat, legumes, fruit, green vegetables and milk are given to the patient every day but it is slower process.
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Thiamine is involved in the process of energy molecules like glucose breakdown. It is also present on neuron membranes. Beriberi exhibits these signs:
- Severe lethargy
- Fatigue, tiredness
- Cardiovascular complications such as, an irregular heart rate
- Nervous system malfunctioning with impaired sensory perception
- Gastrointestinal disturbances
- Muscular problems
- Weight loss
- Pain in limbs
- Edema (swelling of body tissues)
- Elevated level of pyruvic acid and lactic acid in blood
How to treat?
This is a crucial question that has been well answered practically by various experts in the field of medicine.
Thiamine supplements
Since beriberi is caused by lack of vitamin B1, its best prevented or treated with providing the right amount of thiamine to the patient. This is done through supplements of the vitamin. These supplements are given orally or by injection. Besides this, other vitamins may also be recommended to the patient.
How to assess the effectiveness of the vitamin given to the affected person? The simple method is subsequent blood tests that determine whether vitamin supplements are working or not.
Thiamine hydrochloride
It is given in the form of a tablet or directly injected into the blood. Thiamine hydrochloride brings a rapid recovery within hours. Health gets improved within the same day when the treatment begins.
Thiamin-rich diet
During an emergency situation, where the availability of supplements is not possible such as remote village areas that lack expert physicians, clinic, hospitals and pharmacies; diet is taken help from. Foods that have high content of thiamine such as whole grain cereals, fresh meat, legumes, fruit, green vegetables and milk are given to the patient every day but it is slower process.
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