beriberi

beriberi , deficiency disease occurring when the human body has insufficient amounts of thiamine (vitamin B ₁ ). The deficiency may result from improper diet (e.g., ingestion of highly refined grains instead of the whole kernels), from poor absorption of thiamine (as in chronic diarrhea), from conditions which increase the vitamin requirements of the body (e.g., hyperthyroidism, pregnancy, fever), or from poor utilization (as in liver disease). In some instances (e.g., alcoholism) the deficiency arises from a combination of several or of all of these factors. Since thiamine is essential for the proper metabolism of carbohydrate and fat and for the normal functioning of enzymes and nervous tissue, the symptoms of the disorder are primarily those of neurological and gastrointestinal disturbances. In severe cases the heart becomes affected, and the nervous disorder may lead to paralysis and death. The disorder is rarely found in the West, occurring only among alcoholics and other groups who exist on grossly inadequate diets. It is a common malady in parts of Asia where the diet consists mainly of polished white rice. The usual treatment is administering dosages of thiamine.

beriberi Disease caused by a deficiency of vitamin B₁ (thiamine), and other vitamins in the diet. Symptoms include weakness, oedema (waterlogging of the tissues) and degeneration of nerves. The disease is rare in the developed world.

beriberi The result of severe and prolonged deficiency of vitamin B1, still a problem in parts of south east Asia where the diet is high in carbohydrate and poor in vitamin B₁. In developed countries vitamin B₁ deficiency is associated with alcohol abuse; while it may result in beriberi, more commonly the result is central nervous system damage, the Wernicke‐Korsakoff syndrome. In beriberi there is degeneration of peripheral nerves, starting in the hands and feet and ascending the arms and legs, with a loss of sensation and deep muscle pain. There is also enlargement of the heart, which may lead to oedema (wet beriberi), and death results from heart failure. Fatal heart failure may develop without the nerve damage being apparent (Shoshin or sudden beriberi). The name is derived from the Bahasa‐Malay word for sheep, to describe the curious sheep‐like gait adopted by sufferers.