Modern life makes people pay less and less attention to their diet. Snacks on the run and fast foods replace a full lunch or breakfast. In addition, drinking small amounts of alcohol before meals has become very popular. To all this, it is worth adding the problem of modern girls regarding diets. Diets and fasting are becoming more and more part of everyday life and are often practiced. And all this has a very adverse effect on the body. In pursuit of a beautiful and slender appearance, girls can get something completely different. What are the symptoms of a vitamin deficiency? Deficiency of what vitamin is inevitable during starvation and diets, and what is this deficiency fraught with?

What is pellagra? When does pellagra develop?

Pellagra is a clinical deficiency syndrome of nicotinic acid (vitamin PP). The disease develops as a result of a deficiency in the body of nicotinic acid, folic acid and other B vitamins. As a rule, the disease occurs against the background of protein starvation, in which the important amino acid tryptophan is not supplied to the body.

Pellagra used to be common in countries where maize was the main diet.

The occurrence of pellagra is provoked by alcoholism, which disrupts the absorption of vitamins in the gastrointestinal tract, chronic diseases of the stomach, intestines, acute and chronic infections, overwork, sun exposure, hard physical labor.

Manifestations of nicotinic acid deficiency:

The clinical picture of nicotinic acid deficiency can be characterized by the “three D” triad - dermatitis, diarrhea, dementia.

Pellagra can manifest itself in both acute and chronic forms.

Clinical signs of nicotinic acid deficiency:

  • Pain in the lower extremities.
  • Loss of appetite.
  • Diarrhea and constipation.
  • General weakness, depression.
  • Decrease in memory and work capacity.
  • Alopecia.
  • White spots in the mouth.
  • The taste in the mouth becomes salty.
  • Cracks in the skin around the lips, especially in the corners.

The development of pellagra symptoms occurs in the following sequence - first, there are disturbances in the work of the gastrointestinal tract, then - the appearance of the skin, and later - pathological changes in the nervous system and psyche.

Skin manifestations of vitamin PP deficiency

On the face and other open areas of the skin with a lack of vitamin PP, sharply limited spots appear that resemble a sunburn. Dark red erythema soon turns brown, scaly, the skin becomes dry and hard. At the same time, hyperpigmentation, keratosis, and sometimes atrophy develop.

In the case of an acute deficiency of vitamin PP, blisters and blisters appear in the areas of erythematous blisters, which have hemorrhagic or serous contents. In the future, they are prone to ulceration and scarring. At the same time, the mucous membrane of the oral cavity is affected: the tongue is swollen, bright red in color with imprints of teeth, the gums are swollen, sometimes aphthous stomatitis may develop.

Changes in the nervous system and psyche are manifested in the form of lethargy, polyneuritis, dementia, in some cases a manic state develops. Pellagra tends to get worse in the spring and summer.

What foods can prevent pellagra?

The treatment of pellagra consists in the appointment of large doses of vitamin PP in order to compensate for its deficiency. Thiamine, riboflavin, pyridoxine and retinol are also prescribed. With severe exhaustion, a blood transfusion is recommended. It is very easy to prevent the disease by eating well.

Products containing nicotinic acid:

- fish (pike, tuna, horse mackerel, sardine, mackerel, salmon, chum salmon);

- nuts (pine nuts, peanuts, pistachios, cashews);

- meat (goose, chicken, turkey, beef, rabbit);

- squid, peas, liver.

The required daily dose of vitamin PP (niacin, niacinamide, nicotinamide, nicotinic acid) is 16-28 mg for men and 14-20 mg for women.

The need for a vitamin increases when a person works intensively physically or mentally, during pregnancy and lactation, in hot climates and with a predominance of plant foods (fasting, vegetarianism).

When can nicotinic acid provide emergency care?

Vitamin PP is found in animal products in the form of nicotinamide, in plant products - in the form of nicotinic acid. Nicotinic acid, among other things, has an effect on blood vessels, expanding them. Therefore, in the medical practice of emergency conditions, nicotinic acid is used to relieve an attack of angina pectoris and a hypertensive crisis. It is worth dropping nicotinic acid under the tongue, as in a few seconds the patient will feel better. But this does not preclude the need for hospitalization.

Nicotinic acid is needed not only to prevent the development of pellagra, but, as found by scientists, it prevents the development of cancer cells.

Elderly people are more prone to nicotinic acid deficiency, because with age, the absorption of vitamins and other substances in the intestines decreases.

Therefore, be attentive to your patients. When collecting an anamnesis at the appointment, it is important to clarify with the patient about his diet. A detailed story about nutrition can somewhat facilitate the process of making a diagnosis for you and point out errors to the patient. After all, the saying goes: "We are what we eat." Take care of yourself!

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