Relatively rare in the United States, Beriberi is a disease caused by a deficiency of vitamin B1 , also known as thiamine, in the diet. The disease involves peripheral neuritis – nerve degeneration – and myopathy – muscle disease, particularly affecting heart muscles. Symptoms include diarrhea, loss of weight, fatigue, and heart failure. Beriberi is prevalent in eastern and southern Asia. Because many alcoholics fail to eat a balanced diet, it is sometimes associated with chronic alcoholism.
             There is dry Beriberi and wet Beriberi. Dry beriberi results in the loss of strength and of some feeling in the limbs due to nerve degeneration. Wet beriberi is caused by accumulated fluid in the limbs (edema) and in the abdomen (ascites) because of a heart malfunction; nerve degeneration is commonly present as well.
             Beriberi is treated with vitamin B1, and this cures most cases of the disease. Care should be taken to provide the patient with a balanced diet.
             Malnutrition is a condition caused by inadequate intake or inadequate digestion of nutrients. It may result from eating an unbalanced diet, digestive problems, absorption problems, or similar problems. Malnutrition is a general term that indicates a lack of some or all nutritional elements.
             This can occur because of deficiencies in the diet. Single vitamin deficiencies are a form of malnutrition just as starvation is a form of malnutrition. Malnutrition can also occur when nutrients are adequately consumed in the diet, but one or more nutrients are not digested or absorbed properly. Eating a good, well-balanced diet helps to prevent most forms of malnutrition. Also, you must eat an appropriate diet for your age.
             The nutritional disease Pellagra is caused by a lack of niacin. Niacin is an element found in the B-complex vitamins. Pellagra is a vitamin deficiency most commonly found in people whose staple die
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