pellagra

/pi'lægrə/
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Thân thiện
pellagra

A doctor explains the symptoms of pellagra to a patient.

Definition
  1. Noun:
    • A nutritional deficiency disease: Pellagra is a disease caused by a severe lack of niacin (vitamin B3) or its precursor, the amino acid tryptophan, in the diet. It is characterized by a classic set of symptoms affecting the skin, digestive system, and nervous system.
Usage
  • Pellagra is a medical condition resulting from malnutrition or an impaired ability to absorb or process niacin.
  • It is historically associated with diets heavily reliant on untreated corn (maize).
  • The term is used in medical, historical, and public health contexts.
Examples
  • Noun:
    • Pellagra was once endemic in populations whose staple food was corn.
    • The doctor diagnosed the patient with pellagra after observing the dermatitis, diarrhea, and dementia.
    • Public health initiatives to fortify flour with niacin have virtually eliminated pellagra in many countries.
Advanced Usage
  • "Pellagra-preventing factor": An early historical term for niacin (vitamin B3), reflecting its role in preventing the disease.
    • The identification of the "pellagra-preventing factor" was a major breakthrough in nutritional science.
Variants and Related Words
  • Pellagrous (adj): Relating to or affected by pellagra.
    • The physician documented the pellagrous symptoms in his notes.
Synonyms
  • Niacin deficiency: A more clinical term describing the cause.
  • Vitamin B3 deficiency: A direct synonym specifying the deficient nutrient.
Different Meanings
  • Pellagra has a single, specific medical meaning as defined above. It is not used in other general contexts.
Notes
  • The classic symptoms of pellagra are often remembered by the "three Ds": Dermatitis, Diarrhea, and Dementia. If untreated, it can lead to a fourth "D": Death.
  • While primarily caused by dietary deficiency, pellagra can also be secondary to other conditions like alcoholism or certain diseases (e.g., carcinoid syndrome) that interfere with tryptophan metabolism.
pellagra

A doctor explains the symptoms of pellagra to a patient.

Noun
  1. a disease caused by deficiency of niacin or tryptophan (or by a defect in the metabolic conversion of tryptophan to niacin); characterized by gastrointestinal disturbances and erythema and nervous or mental disorders; may be caused by malnutrition or alcoholism or other nutritional impairments

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