Thiamine Deficiency, also called Beriberi, is a condition where the body does not meet the minimum requirements for thiamine. This occurs due to lack of consumption of thiamine or due to lack of absorption of thiamine especially for patients who underwent gastrectomy.
There are two kinds of thiamine deficiency. One type affects the cardiovascular system and is called wet beriberi. The other type that affects the nervous system and is called dry beriberi.
In the United States, thiamine deficiency is rare since foods are now vitamin enriched. Only people who are heavy drinkers develop symptoms of beriberi. Increased alcohol intake makes it difficult for the body to properly absorb thiamine. In worst cases, permanent brain damage can occur called Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.
People who take diuretics or those who had undergone dialysis can develop beriberi. Infants of asymptomatic mothers who have beriberi can develop infantile beriberi since the milk produced by the mother does not contain or lacks thiamine.
Symptoms
Symptoms of dry beriberi are more on peripheral neurophaty such as loss of sensation on feet and hands, paralysis of the lower leg, difficulty walking, confusion, back and forth eye movement (nystagmus), lack of concentration, difficulty talking, pain, vomiting, and tingling sensations.
Dry beriberi symptoms affects mostly the heart. Symptoms include shortness of breath at night that causes the patient to awaken suddenly, shortness of breath after mild activity, palpitations, and edema of the lower extremities.
Treatment
It is not difficult to treat this type of deficiency. By simply correcting the levels of thiamine and maintaining it at sufficient levels will alleviate all symptoms. This could be done by taking oral supplements or through injection of thiamine. After administration, a blood test is commonly done to test how a patient responds to the medication.
Prevention
Eating foods rich in thiamine such as oat meal, eggs, liver, potatoes, oranges, flax and sunflower seeds. Daily vitamin supplements are also an easy source of thiamine. Stop drinking alcohol. Raw meat from fresh water fish and shellfish contain thiaminase. Thiaminase is a enzyme that breaks down thiamine. It is advised to cook fish and shellfish thoroughly.
