The Truth About What Causes Beriberi and How to Avoid It

BERI-BERI

 Beriberi is a thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency disease that affects many body systems, including the muscles, heart, nerves, and digestive system. Beriberi means "I can't, I can't" in sing-halse, reflecting the crippling effect it has on its victims.

It is common in parts of Southeast Asia where white rice is the staple food. In the United States, beriberi occurs in people with chronic alcoholism.

Causes

There is usually only one main cause of beriberi:

• Lack of vitamin B1 (thiamine) in the diet

This condition can also have another reason:

• Alcohol abuse – people who drink a lot may not have enough vitamin B1 (thiamine)

• Baby food – there may be some special baby food that may not contain enough vitamin B1 (thiamine)

• Dialysis – can often cause deficiencies of all nutrients, but especially water-soluble ones such as vitamin B1 (thiamine)

• Diuretics – long-term use of diuretics can cause a deficiency of all nutrients, but especially water-soluble ones such as vitamin B1 (thiamine)

• Genetic factors – people with this rare genetic condition lose the ability to absorb vitamin B1 (thiamine) from food

• Malnutrition - if you don't eat enough food to get all the vital nutrients you need (such as vitamin B1), beriberi can occur

• Mother to child – if a pregnant woman is deficient in vitamin B1 (thiamine), it can cause beriberi in the child 

Symptoms of dry beriberi include:

• Pain

• Armor

• Loss of sensation (sensitivity) in the hands and feet

• Vomiting

• Strange eye movements (nystagmus)

• Mental confusion/speech problems

• Difficulty walking

• Coma

• Death

Symptoms of wet beriberi include:

• Swelling of the lower legs

• Increased heart rate

• Lung congestion

• Shortness of breath with activity

• Nocturnal awakening shortness of breath

Treatment beriberi:

Medical care: Monitor patients with heart failure in the intensive care unit. Since beriberi often presents with other B-complex deficiencies, give all other B-complex vitamins.

Consultation:

A cardiac examination using 2-dimensional echocardiography is necessary. Essential for the diagnosis and treatment of beriberi documents congestive heart failure (CHF) and poor ventricular function were seen in beriberi.

Neurological and psychiatric consultations are often necessary.

Diet: Patients with lethargy, confusion, and severe heart failure must fast to prevent aspiration.

Treatment is also with thiamine hydrochloride either in the form of tablets or injections. When administered to patients with beriberi, rapid and dramatic recovery can be achieved within hours and their health can change within an hour of administration. Thiamin occurs in unrefined cereals and fresh foods, especially fresh meat, legumes, green vegetables, fruit, and milk.