How Does Vitamin B1 Deficiency Lead to Beriberi?
Introduction To Beriberi
Beriberi is a disease which is caused due to nutrition deficiency. This disease is caused due to the absence of vitamin B1 in the human body. Humans obtain a vital nutrient named thiamine through their diet. It is also known as Thiamine deficiency disorder. In the body, thiamine does not take long to drain which is one of the reasons which makes BeriBeri a dangerous disease. If this disease is taken lightly and left untreated, then it can be a life-threatening nutritional deficiency disease. Women with intense nausea, pregnant women, and people who are suffering from Aids have a high risk of getting affected due to this disease.
Types Of Beriberi
There are two types of Beriberi disease.
Wet beriberi
Dry beriberi
Wet beriberi- In general, the heart gets affected due to this kind of disorder. It also affects other organs of the circulatory system. If it is taken casually, it can lead to heart attack and also can cause some heart disorders which are considered to be extremely harmful to health. Cardiomegaly and cardiomyopathy are responsible for characterizing this disease as wet beriberi.
Dry beriberi- The function of the nerves of the nervous system is affected due to this disorder. The strength of muscle is also decreased and it can also lead to paralysis. Neuropathy is responsible for characterizing this disease as Dry beriberi.
Causes Of Beriberi
The deficiency of vitamin-B1 causes rare disease beriberi. Recent research says that this disease is found to be very rare because these days all the various sources of food are found to be enriched with vitamins.
People, who are highly addicted to alcohol, can suffer from poor nutrition. If the body fails to absorb Vitamin B1 then it can also lead to body weakness.
In some cases, it is considered a genetic disorder. It happens if the body of the mother lacks vitamin- B1, then it can be transmitted to the body of the new-born while breastfeeding. Due to this young babies are also to suffer from this disease.
People, who are going through dialysis, may also suffer from this disease.
On the other hand, the risk of this disease is so high for those who are having heavy doses of water pills.
Symptoms Of Beriberi
The symptoms are different in two different types of beriberi.
Symptoms of Dry BeriBeri
Pain and tingling are felt in this disease.
People can suffer from vomiting.
One can find difficulty in walking as it makes the body weak.
Strange movements of eyes can also be noticed.
People may face difficulty in speaking.
People start losing sensation in feet and hands because their muscles stop functioning. This is considered a sign of paralysis.
Symptoms of Wet BeriBeri
In this heart rate increases rapidly.
Lower legs start swelling in this kind of disease.
Weakness increases with activity, it causes breathing problems.
Insomnia also can be a symptom of this disease.
Acute or chronic GBS can be mimicked by signs and symptoms of beriberi. Thiamine deficiency should be considered in malnourished patients who have signs and symptoms of GBS as per the clinicians.
Diagnosis Of Beriberi
There are many ways to determine and detect this disease. The series of medical tests and physical examinations to detect beriberi is stated by various medical professionals.
Testing breathing and lungs problem.
To check the levels of thiamine in blood cells
Urine and blood tests are also performed to detect this disease.
The lower legs are examined to detect if there is any kind of swelling or not.
Examination or tests are also conducted for checking variation in a heartbeat and the enlargement of the heart.
Differences in walking decreased reflexes and problems of coordination are also checked.
Treatment Of Beriberi
This disease requires natural treatment. The person, who has a deficiency of Vitamin B1, should consume the food which is rich in this vitamin B1. It will raise the level of vitamin in the blood cells. Patients suffering from this disease should not consume alcohol at all. The level of thiamine should also be normalized. The administration also accomplishes oral or injectable supplements for the treatment of this disease.
FAQs on What is Beriberi? Causes, Symptoms & Diagnosis
1. What is beriberi and which vitamin deficiency causes it?
Beriberi is a disease caused by a severe deficiency of thiamine, also known as vitamin B1. This vitamin is crucial for the body's metabolic processes, specifically for converting carbohydrates into energy. Without enough thiamine, the nervous and cardiovascular systems cannot function properly, leading to a range of serious symptoms.
2. What are the primary risk factors for developing beriberi?
The primary risk factors for developing beriberi are conditions or lifestyle choices that lead to low thiamine levels. These include:
- A diet low in thiamine, especially one that relies heavily on polished or white rice.
- Chronic alcoholism, as alcohol impairs the body's ability to absorb and store thiamine.
- Gastrointestinal issues like Crohn's disease or having had bariatric surgery, which can reduce nutrient absorption.
- Severe malnutrition or highly restrictive diets.
- Certain medical conditions such as hyperthyroidism or undergoing kidney dialysis, which can deplete thiamine stores.
3. What is the fundamental difference between 'wet beriberi' and 'dry beriberi'?
The fundamental difference lies in the body system that is primarily affected.
- Dry beriberi (nervous beriberi) damages the peripheral nervous system. This leads to symptoms like decreased muscle strength, numbness or tingling in the hands and feet (peripheral neuropathy), and eventually, muscle paralysis.
- Wet beriberi (cardiovascular beriberi) affects the heart and circulatory system. It causes weakened capillary walls, leading to fluid retention (edema) in the legs and potentially progressing to congestive heart failure.
4. What are the main symptoms a person with dry beriberi might experience?
A person with dry beriberi typically shows neurological symptoms, which may include:
- Difficulty walking or a shuffling gait.
- Loss of sensation (numbness or tingling) in hands and feet.
- Pain and muscle tenderness or wasting.
- Loss of muscle function or paralysis, especially in the lower legs.
- Mental confusion, memory loss, or speech difficulties.
- Involuntary eye movements (nystagmus).
5. What are the signs of wet beriberi, which affects the cardiovascular system?
Wet beriberi primarily impacts the cardiovascular system. Its key signs are related to heart function and fluid balance, including:
- Shortness of breath, especially with physical activity or when lying down.
- An abnormally increased heart rate (tachycardia).
- Noticeable swelling in the lower legs due to fluid retention (edema).
- Waking up at night feeling breathless.
- In severe, untreated cases, it can lead to congestive heart failure.
6. How does a doctor typically diagnose beriberi?
A doctor diagnoses beriberi based on a combination of factors. The process usually involves a physical examination to check for symptoms like edema, reduced reflexes, and muscle weakness. The doctor will also review the patient's dietary history and alcohol intake. To confirm the diagnosis, blood and urine tests are conducted to measure the levels of thiamine in the body. A positive and rapid response to thiamine supplements can also help confirm the diagnosis.
7. Why is a diet consisting mainly of polished white rice linked to a higher risk of beriberi?
Polished white rice is linked to beriberi because the process of milling and polishing removes the outer husk and bran layer of the rice grain. This layer, known as the aleurone layer, is where most of the thiamine (vitamin B1) is concentrated. When a person's diet relies heavily on this processed rice without other sources of thiamine, they do not get the necessary amount of this essential vitamin, leading to a deficiency and the onset of beriberi.
8. What is the standard treatment for beriberi, and can its effects be reversed?
The standard treatment for beriberi is the immediate administration of thiamine supplements. This can be given orally through tablets or, in severe cases, through injections or intravenously (IV) to ensure rapid absorption. The prognosis is generally good if the disease is caught early. Many symptoms, especially those of wet beriberi, can be reversed quickly with treatment. However, if significant nerve or heart damage has occurred due to a chronic deficiency, some effects may be permanent.
9. How does chronic alcohol consumption contribute to thiamine deficiency and beriberi?
Chronic alcohol consumption is a major cause of beriberi due to a combination of factors. Firstly, alcohol provides 'empty calories' without nutrients, often replacing food that would contain thiamine. Secondly, it directly interferes with the absorption of thiamine from the gastrointestinal tract. Lastly, excessive alcohol use can damage the liver, the primary organ responsible for converting thiamine into its active form and storing it. This multi-faceted impact makes individuals with alcohol use disorder highly susceptible to developing beriberi.
