A doctor has warned that two diseases, common in the UK centuries ago, are making a worrying comeback as many Brits remain oblivious to preventative measures. The resurgence is particularly impacting one age group.
GP Dr Bhavini Shah suggests simple lifestyle changes could prevent or even reverse these conditions. This comes after a survey by LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor revealed half of us admit we’re not getting the necessary vitamins and minerals our bodies need.
Dr Shah explained: “Vitamins and minerals are essential nutrients that your body requires in small quantities to maintain health and function properly. While a balanced diet provides most of these nutrients for many people, some may need to take supplements to meet their needs. There are many different causes of vitamin and mineral deficiencies.”
“A varied and balanced diet usually provides you with enough vitamins and minerals for optimal health. But deficiencies can happen for several reasons. We’re more likely to suffer from mineral and vitamin deficiencies as we get older. According to NHS statistics, over 50s makeup almost three quarters (72%) of all those admitted to hospital for malnutrition in England.”, reports Surrey Live.
Dr Shah highlighted some of the conditions doctors are now seeing in hospitals – including rickets, which surged in the UK centuries ago, and scurvy, prevalent in the 17th century.
Scurvy
“Many people believe scurvy to be a historical disease that was only common among sailors and those who embarked on long sea voyages, however, this is not the case.”
“Scurvy is caused by a deficiency of vitamin C in your diet and can lead to a host of health problems. Common symptoms of scurvy are feeling tired, weak, irritable or sad for prolonged periods; you may also notice joint pain and that your skin bruises more easily. Another symptom is bleeding gums and, in more extreme circumstances, losing teeth.”
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“While scurvy is generally uncommon, numbers of diagnoses have more than doubled over the last 15 years, according to NHS statistics.”
“You are most likely to suffer from scurvy if you lack fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet or if you’re under-eating. Smoking also increases your likelihood of contracting scurvy as it reduces how much vitamin C your body is able to absorb from foods.”
Rickets and osteomalacia
“Osteomalacia is a disease which causes bone weakness and impacts mobility, similar to osteoporosis. However, unlike osteoporosis, osteomalacia is the direct result of lacking vitamin D or calcium and makes bones become soft rather than brittle.”
“In children, the same deficiency in vitamin D or calcium is called rickets. Despite almost disappearing in the Western world over the past century thanks to increased access to fruits and cereals, we still see more 525 of rickets per year on average with the vast majority of those diagnosed being in under 18s. Thankfully, it’s now easy to test for vitamin D deficiency using home blood tests.”
According to fresh NHS data obtained by LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor through a Freedom of Information request, there were over 1.2 million instances of vitamin D deficiency recorded between the start of 2013 and end of 2023. Worryingly, there has been an average increase of 16,321 cases (18.56%) year on year (20,875, 22.74% – excluding 2020).
“To avoid osteomalacia, or to prevent your child from getting rickets, you need to ensure that you are getting enough calcium and vitamin D in your diet. You can also get vitamin D from sunlight, however, this may be more difficult in winter months, when there is less sunlight, or for those with darker skin, as their skin absorbs less vitamin D than lighter skin.”
How can you test for vitamin and mineral deficiencies?
“Vitamin supplements should not be needed in a healthy person with a varied diet. They can also be harmful if taken in excess. Excesses of certain things, such vitamin C and iron may result in stomach pain or diarrhoea.”
“There is also some research to suggest that having more than your recommended amount of vitamin A over many years may impact your bone health, and excess vitamin D may weaken bones or damage your heart and kidneys. If you’re feeling generally unwell and thinking of taking a supplement, it’s best to talk to your doctor first.”
“Home blood tests are making it even easier for people to check for general health information and catch any deficiencies or unusual health makers early on,” says a health expert.