Beriberi – causes, symptoms & therapy

Beriberi is a deficiency disease caused by a lack of vitamin B1 (thiamine). Vitamin B1 has many important tasks related to the body’s metabolism and the nervous system. Since the body cannot produce thiamine itself and only stores small amounts, it is important to continuously consume enough vitamin B1 through food.

A basic distinction is made between two types of beriberi. The dry type mainly affects the nervous system and leads to neurological deficits. The wet form of beriberi primarily affects the body’s cardiac system, leading to cardiovascular disease .

causes

Beriberi develops when the body does not have enough thiamine available. There are various medical conditions and lifestyle factors that can lead to the development of beriberi. Beriberi occurs particularly frequently in poor countries where the diet of the population is very unbalanced.In western industrialized countries, a thiamine deficiency is rather rare, as a balanced diet can easily ingest enough vitamin B1 to supply the body. In Western countries, beriberi occurs primarily in people with chronic diseases. It is not uncommon for diabetics to suffer from a reduced thiamine level, which can develop into a deficiency disease.

It is not uncommon for alcoholics to suffer from beriberi. This is because alcohol inhibits the absorption of vitamin B1 from food. People who suffer from a chronic inflammatory bowel disease can also contract beriberi , since severe diarrhea occurs here and the food is not adequately utilized.

symptoms and course

Typical symptoms of beriberi:

• Diarrhea

• Inner unrest

• stomach pain

• exhaustion

• paralysis

• Apathy

• nausea

The symptoms of beriberi differ depending on the severity and type of the disease. If the patient suffers from the dry form of beriberi, neurological deficits are in the foreground. This can lead to paralysis of the skeletal muscles and sensory disorders. Those affected feel z. B. a burning sensation in the extremities.

The wet form is associated with disorders of the cardiovascular system and, in the worst case, leads to cardiac insufficiency . It is not uncommon for those affected to also suffer from general mood disorders such as restlessness, abdominal pain, exhaustion, apathy, confusion and nausea. If beriberi is diagnosed and treated in good time, the course can be assessed as positive.

Diagnose

The diagnosis of beriberi often proves to be complicated. This is not least due to the fact that in Western industrialized countries the possibility of a thiamine deficiency is often not considered in the case of cardiovascular system disorders or neurological deficits.

In addition, the symptoms are non-specific, especially at the beginning of the disease, which makes the diagnosis even more difficult. To make a diagnosis, the doctor first takes a medical history; He asks in particular about existing illnesses and eating habits. This is followed by the physical examination of the patient. A definitive diagnosis can only be made after a laboratory blood test .

complications

The disease beriberi causes a variety of different symptoms that can lead to complications. As a rule, there are severe disturbances in concentration and disturbances in perception. The affected person feels very tired and dizzy and is often no longer able to carry out the usual activities of everyday life or is extremely restricted in carrying them out. There is also inner restlessness and irritability. The affected person suffers from abdominal pain, which can occur especially after eating. It is not uncommon for the symptoms to lead to psychological problems and depression .

If the disease is not treated, memory disorders can also occur and muscles or nerves can become ill. Physical exertion is no longer possible for the patient. As the disease progresses, heart failure and death often occur if left untreated.

In addition to memory disorders, speech disorders and other cognitive ailments can also occur. The patient’s quality of life is extremely reduced by the disease beriberi. The treatment can be done relatively well with the help of medication and does not lead to further complications. However, existing damage may not be reversible.

treatment and therapy

Treatment for beriberi depends on the severity of the condition and the general health of the patient. If the vitamin deficiency is not yet very severe, the deficiency can be compensated for by administering thiamine in tablet form. This treatment is very effective and, in most cases, quickly relieves symptoms. During treatment, the patient’s condition must be checked periodically.

If the deficiency symptoms are already severe and the general condition of the patient does not permit outpatient therapy, the patient must remain in the hospital for the duration of the treatment. There the patient receives vitamin B1 via an infusion. The high-dose administration of thiamine usually leads to a rapid improvement in the symptoms.With wet beriberi in the advanced stage, the patient needs to take additional medication to improve the functions of the cardiovascular system. If there is a heart condition, then the additional administration of medication is unavoidable.

In the case of the dry form of beriberi, physiotherapy may be necessary in addition to the administration of thiamine in order to compensate for motor deficits. In the case of an alcoholic patient with beriberi, withdrawal is recommended because otherwise the disease can recur.

prevention

Since beriberi is a rare disease in Central Europe, prevention is very easy. A healthy, balanced diet provides the best protection against beriberi.

It should also be noted that vitamin B1 is a water-soluble and heat-sensitive vitamin . It is advisable to eat fruit and vegetables as raw as possible, otherwise thiamine will be destroyed. Taking vitamin supplements is not necessary if you have a balanced diet and are in good health.