Thiamine or Vitamin B1 is an essential micronutrient required for our body. A deficiency in this micronutrient can cause several problems. One of these problems could be beriberi. Beriberi is caused due to acute or chronic deficiency in thiamine. Beriberi can either be wet beriberi or dry beriberi. Now, what effects does beriberi have in your body and can beriberi be cured? To know about these, read the following array of the article.
What Effects Does Beriberi Have In Your Body?
As we mentioned above, beriberi could be of two types, the wet beriberi and the dry beriberi.
Now, what effects does wet beriberi have in your body? Well, in case of wet beriberi the heart may be affected and in serious cases of wet beriberi there may be heart failure. You may experience increased heart rate, shortness of breath during night-time while lying down or during any physical activity, there may be swelling of feet, if you have wet beriberi.
Coming down to dry beriberi, this condition affects the musculoskeletal and nervous system. It damages the nerves and results in loss of muscle strength, eventually leading to muscle paralysis. Some of the symptoms of dry beriberi include, trouble with walking, paralysis in the lower limbs, loss of sensation in feet and hands, tingling sensation in feet and hands, nausea and vomiting, abnormal eye movement. It must be noted that in case of extreme cases of dry beriberi, you may experience a brain damaging condition called as Wernicke Korsakoff syndrome, which can result in permanent mental impairment if not treated on time.
Can Beriberi Be Cured?
Now the point is, can beriberi be cured? Well, if the condition is caught early, most of the complications caused by beriberi can be reversed with thiamine supplements. However, it is always essential to follow a diet rich in Vitamin B1 so as to prevent recurrence.
If caught and treated early, patients with beriberi can recover and integrate into their normal life activities. With early treatments, damage to the nervous system and heart damage could be reversible. However, if left untreated or if the treatment of beriberi is delayed, one may suffer from problems like memory loss and confusions. There may also be a permanent brain damage and also can result in death if beriberi is not treated early or left without any treatments.
Usually doctors prescribe thiamine supplements either in form of tablets or injection form, depending on the severity of the condition. In some cases of severe beriberi, intravenous thiamine may be required. Doctors also recommend a diet rich in thiamine which generally includes eggs, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and tomato or orange juice.
Conclusion:
So, we are aware about the effects that beriberi have on our body and also know that it can be cured if caught early. You must see your doctor if you experience any symptom of beriberi and also know about tests required to be undergone for evaluating your condition and begin the treatment if required.
