Beriberi Disease Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Understanding
Beriberi is a disease caused by a deficiency of thiamine pyrophosphatase, which is the active form of thiamine/vitamin B1. Vitamin B1 cannot be produced by the body itself, so adequate vitamin intake is needed.
The recommended daily consumption of B vitamins is 1.2 mg. Thiamine is generally found most abundantly in skeletal muscle, but can also be found in the brain, heart, liver and kidneys.
Symptoms
Beriberi disease exhibits several symptoms.
Neurological symptoms:
- poor memory, irritability (easily distracted), trouble sleeping
- Wernicke encephalopathy (impaired coordinating function in the brain due to lack of B vitamins)
- paresthesia or symmetrical burning pain in both lower limbs
- muscle cramp
- muscle atrophy
- loss of knee reflexes
- foot drop
Cardiovascular symptoms:
- fast heartbeat
- chest pain
- heart failure
- low blood pressure and shock
Gastrointestinal symptoms:
- anorexia
- pain/discomfort in the stomach
- constipation
- difficulty swallowing
Symptoms of infantile beriberi:
- heart failure
- aphonia/inability to speak
- loss of deep tendon reflexes
Reason
The disease beriberi arises from a lack of intake of thiamine. This can happen, among other things, because:
- Consume foods high in thiaminase. For example raw freshwater fish, raw shellfish, milled rice, and so on. These foods trigger the work of enzymes that break down thiamine.
- Consume foods high in anti-thiamine. For example tea and coffee.
- Eat processed foods high in sulfites. These compounds instead destroy thiamine.
- Another factor that hinders the supply of thiamine. For example alcoholic conditions, starvation or starvation, gastric bypass surgery, and so on.
This disease can also occur due to high expenditure of thiamine. This condition can occur, among others, because:
- High consumption of thiamine metabolism in the body, due to a diet high in carbohydrates and saturated fat, pregnancy or breastfeeding, hyperthyroidism, fever, or increased physical activity.
- Increased elimination of thiamine due to diarrhea disorders, diuretic drugs, peritoneal dialysis, hemodialysis/dialysis, or hyperemesis gravidarum (nausea and vomiting in pregnancy which is much more severe than ordinary morning sickness ).
The next cause is the lack of absorption of thiamine, due to:
- chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract
- alcoholic state
- malnutrition (malnutrition)
- malabsorption syndrome
- folate deficiency
Diagnosis
Determining the diagnosis of beriberi can be done through talking about the symptoms experienced and a physical examination by a doctor. Usually, the doctor can find out immediately if there is a strong suspicion of beriberi.
For practical reasons, a good response to therapy with vitamin B1 may be strong enough to confirm the diagnosis. High amounts of vitamin B1 are not toxic to the body, so giving thiamine is quite safe. If needed, thiamine levels can be checked through a blood test.
Treatment
Treatment for sufferers of beriberi that can be done is to overcome the symptoms that occur. In addition, consumption of thiamine/vitamin B1 supplements is also needed. The required dose is 25–100 mg/day for mild deficiency and 200–300 mg/day for severe deficiency.
Prevention
Some conditions, such as the body’s metabolic system that doesn’t work as it should, make beriberi not always preventable. But maintaining a good diet, which is sufficient B vitamins, is highly recommended to prevent this beriberi disorder from occurring. Living a good lifestyle with a balanced diet and staying away from alcoholic beverages will also prevent beriberi.