beriberi
/'beri'beri/
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.
Noun
-
avitaminosis caused by lack of thiamine (vitamin B1)
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