Vitamin C is one of the essential nutrients for the body, and it plays an important role in the body. Lack of vitamin C can cause a series of diseases. So, what are the symptoms of vitamin C deficiency?
1. General symptoms
The onset is slow, and symptoms of vitamin C deficiency take about 3-4 months to appear. In the early stages, there are no specific symptoms, and patients often exhibit pale complexion, fatigue, decreased appetite, depression, and other symptoms. Children may exhibit irritability, lack of weight gain, and may be accompanied by low-grade fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and other symptoms.
2. Bleeding symptoms
Skin bruising is a prominent manifestation, and scattered bleeding spots may appear on the patient's skin when subjected to slight compression. The skin is prone to purpura and bruising after collision or compression. As the condition progresses, patients may experience keratinization and bleeding around hair follicles, with curly and brittle hair roots. Gingivals often swell and bleed, which can easily cause secondary infections. Teeth can become loose or fall off due to alveolar necrosis. Nasal bleeding and subperiosteal bleeding of the eye socket can also cause eyeball protrusion. Occasionally, there may be gastrointestinal bleeding, hematuria, intra-articular bleeding, and even intracranial bleeding. Patients may suddenly experience convulsions, shock, and even death as a result.
3. Anemia
Due to long-term bleeding and insufficient vitamin C, iron absorption can be affected. Patients in the late stage often have anemia and pale complexion. Anemia is often moderate, usually cellular anemia with normal hemoglobin, and in a series of cases, 1/5 of patients may also have megaloblastic anemia.
Lack of vitamin C can cause significant harm to the body, so it is important to promptly supplement foods rich in vitamin C, such as oranges or tomatoes. If the situation is serious, vitamin C tablets can also be taken.
