BERIBERI Meaning and
Definition
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Beriberi is a medical condition that can arise from a deficiency of thiamine (vitamin B1) in the diet. It is mainly found in regions where polished (refined) rice forms a significant part of the staple diet. This disease affects the cardiovascular, muscular, and nervous systems, resulting in a wide range of symptoms.
The cardiovascular symptoms of beriberi include an increased heart rate, an irregular heartbeat, and fluid accumulation in the legs, leading to edema. Muscular symptoms may manifest as weakness, loss of muscle coordination, and a tingling sensation or numbness in the extremities. The nervous system can also be affected, causing confusion, memory disorders, difficulty walking, and decreased concentration. If left untreated, beriberi may progress to severe cases with symptoms of extreme exhaustion and congestive heart failure.
Treatment for beriberi involves thiamine supplementation, either through oral thiamine supplements or injections for more severe cases. Additionally, individuals affected by beriberi are advised to modify their diet to include foods rich in thiamine, such as whole grains, legumes, meat, and nuts.
Prevention is crucial in combating beriberi, and it can be achieved through the consumption of a well-balanced diet that includes sufficient amounts of thiamine. Food fortification programs, which enrich staple foods with thiamine, have also been successful in reducing the incidence of beriberi in regions prone to the disease.
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Kakke, endemic neuritis; a specific polyneuritis, occurring in endemic form in eastern and southern Asia, and sporadically in other tropical and mild temperate regions; it prevails especially in armies, prisons, ships, and wherever large numbers of men are kept together. There is stiffness of the muscles with atrophy, neuritic pains, and paresis. Dyspnea is frequent and in certain forms, called wet b., edema is a prominent symptom. Beriberi is a deficiency disease due to a lack of vitamines in the diet; in the far East it is largely due to the almost exclusive use of polished rice.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for BERIBERI
Etymology of BERIBERI
The word "beriberi" originated from the Sinhalese language, which is spoken in Sri Lanka. It comes from the phrase "beri beri", which means "weakness" or "weakness-weakness". The Sinhalese term itself is believed to have been derived from the Malay word "beli beli", which has a similar meaning. The term "beriberi" was first introduced to the English language in the late 19th century when it was used to describe a disease characterized by muscle weakness and nerve damage caused by a nutritional deficiency of vitamin B1 (thiamine).
Similar spelling words for BERIBERI
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