An outbreak of scurvy is being fought in Australian hospitals, according to The Daily Telegraph.
What is believed to be due to a lack of fruit and vegetable intake in Aussie diets, the disease is said to be affecting overweight men and women.
Scurvy originally surfaced a century ago amongst sailors who spent significant time out at sea without sufficient fruit and vegetables.
Sydney professor Jenny Gunton of Westmead Hospital came across the disease after a diabetic patient of hers displayed wounds that failed to heal after seven months.
Professor Gunton looked at the patient’s diet and after prescribing her a vitamin C supplement, her health improved and ulcers disappeared.
She said, ‘Most of these people are overweight so it just comes down to the quality of the diet’.
Scurvy symptoms include pain in the gums and bones, loosening of teeth and slow wound healing.
You might also like:
Related stories
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
