beriberi

/'beri'beri/

Thân thiện

A doctor explains the dangers of beriberi to a patient.

Definition

Noun: - A disease caused by a deficiency of thiamine (vitamin B1): Beriberi is a nutritional disorder characterized by symptoms such as weakness, nerve damage, and heart problems, resulting from a prolonged lack of vitamin B1 in the diet.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • A diet consisting mainly of polished white rice can lead to beriberi.
  • The doctor diagnosed the patient with wet beriberi, which affects the cardiovascular system.
  • Public health campaigns helped to eradicate beriberi in the region by promoting a more varied diet.

Advanced Usage

• "Dry beriberi": A form of the disease primarily affecting the nervous system, leading to muscle weakness and nerve damage.
  • The patient's difficulty walking was a symptom of dry beriberi.
• "Wet beriberi": A form of the disease primarily affecting the cardiovascular system, leading to heart failure and edema (swelling).
  • Wet beriberi can cause rapid heart rate and shortness of breath.

Variants and Related Words

• Thiamine deficiency: The medical term for the lack of vitamin B1 that causes beriberi.
• Avitaminosis: A general term for any disease caused by a vitamin deficiency.

Synonyms

• Thiamine deficiency disease: A more descriptive synonym for beriberi.

Notes on Meaning

Beriberi specifically refers to the disease state caused by a lack of vitamin B1. It is not a general term for any illness or weakness. Historically, it was common in populations where polished rice was a staple food, as the polishing process removes the thiamine-rich husk.

Học thuật

Noun

1. avitaminosis caused by lack of thiamine (vitamin B1)