Beriberi

Beriberi is an anilment caused by a deficiency of vitamin B1. 

Beriberi occurs in people whose staple diet consists mainly of polished white rice, which has little or no B1. If a baby is fed the milk of a mother who suffers from a deficiency in thiamine, the child may develop beriberi. T he symptoms of which may include weight loss, emotional disturbances, impaired sensory perception, weakness, and periods of irregular heartbeat.

Beriberi occurs in people whose staple diet consists mainly of polished white rice, which has little or no thiamine.  If a baby is fed the milk of a mother who suffers from a deficiency in thiamine, the child may develop beriberi.

There are two forms of the disease: wet beriberi and dry beriberi. Wet beriberi affects the heart; It is sometimes fatal, as it causes a combination of heart failure and weakening of the capillary walls. Dry beriberi causes dry skin and partial paralysis resulting from damage to the sensory nerves.

The symptoms of beriberi vary depending on the type.

Wet beriberi symptoms include:

• shortness of breath during physical activity
• waking up short of breath
• rapid heart rate
• swollen lower legs

Dry beriberi symptoms include:

• decreased muscle function, particularly in the lower legs
• tingling or loss of feeling in the feet and hands
• pain
• mental confusion
• difficulty speaking
• vomiting
• involuntary eye movement
• paralysis

In extreme cases, beriberi is associated with Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. Wernicke encephalopathy and Korsakoff syndrome are two forms of brain damage caused by thiamine deficiency.

Beriberi is easily treated with thiamine supplements. Your doctor may prescribe a thiamine shot or pill. For severe cases, a healthcare professional will administer intravenous thiamine.

Your progress will be monitored with follow-up blood tests to see how well your body is absorbing the vitamin.