Lockjaw

2010-06-28T09:52:34Z

Davisjames: Lockjaw Symptoms

Lockjaw is a condition caused due to prolonged contraction of skeletal muscle fibres. Lockjaw is caused by a bactium ''Clostridium tetani''. The disease is also called as Tetanus.

The '''symptoms of the disease''' include

- One of the primary and major symptoms of Lockjaw is the series of spasms caused by Tetanospasmin, the toxin that is produced by the bacteria. These spasms affect the ‘chewing muscles’ in the jaw, which makes it difficult to move the mouth in terms of either opening or closing.

- Among the various parts that are affected by this toxin, the muscles in the jaw are held so tightly that the person is not able to even move his jaw muscles. Hence, this Condition is also called as Lockjaw.

- Spasms could also be witnessed in different parts of the body.

- Muscles in the throat region are also affected.

- Pain and discomfort in the abdominal muscles too.

- Headache or a sore throat.

- The affected person may be extremely sensitive to touch.

- Diarrhoea.

- Bleeding of bowels. [http://www.lockjawsymptoms.net/]

Scurvy

2010-06-21T11:16:23Z

Davisjames: /* References */

'''Scurvy''' is a disease caused by a deficiency in [[vitamin C]] (ascorbic acid). The symptoms include poor wound healing, easy bruising, bleeding and swollen gums leading to the teeth falling out <ref>[http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/s/scurvy/symptoms.htm ''Symptoms of Scurvy''] @ wrongdiagnosis.com</ref>.

Scurvy was a major problem in navies prior to the 18th Century when the preservation of fresh fruit was not possible. It was not uncommon for losses to scurvy on ships to outnumber crew members killed in enemy action - Commodore George Anson took six ships and 2000 crew to the Pacific Ocean in the 1740s, and lost five of the ships and two thirds of his men.<ref>Lamb, Jonathan (8-1-2002)[http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/empire_seapower/captaincook_scurvy_01.shtml ''Captain Cook and the Scourge of Scurvy''] BBC (page 1)</ref>

A Scottish surgeon called James Lind proved that scurvy could be treated by feeding patients citrus [[fruit]] in 1753.<ref>[http://www.jameslindlibrary.org/trial_records/17th_18th_Century/lind/lind_tp.html ''A treatise of the scurvy''] @ jameslindlibrary.org</ref>

[[James Cook]] is often credited as being the first sea captain to eliminate scurvy in his sailors, principally by using sauerkraut (pickled cabbage), although the some people believe his success in doing this has been overstated not least because the vitamin C content of sauerkraut is minimal. <ref>Lamb, Jonathan (8-1-2002) [http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/empire_seapower/captaincook_scurvy_05.shtml ''Captain Cook and the Scourge of Scurvy''] BBC (page 5)</ref>

Lack of vitamin C causes scurvy because ascorbic acid provides a hydroxyl group for the hydroxylation of proline residues to from hydroxyproline in the protein collagen. These hydroxyproline residues form hydrogen bonds between chains of collagen, holding them together. Thus in the absence of vitamin C, the collagen chains fall apart, which leads to the weakened connective tissue which causes the scurvy symptoms.

Scurvy is a disease caused by a deficiency in vitamin C (ascorbic acid). The symptoms include poor wound healing, easy bruising, bleeding and swollen gums leading to the teeth falling out [http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/empire_seapower/captaincook_scurvy_01.shtml].

Scurvy was a major problem in navies prior to the 18th Century when the preservation of fresh fruit was not possible. It was not uncommon for losses to scurvy on ships to outnumber crew members killed in enemy action - Commodore George Anson took six ships and 2000 crew to the Pacific Ocean in the 1740s, and lost five of the ships and two thirds of his men.[http://www.jameslindlibrary.org/trial_records/17th_18th_Century/lind/lind_tp.html]

A Scottish surgeon called James Lind proved that scurvy could be treated by feeding patients citrus fruit in 1753.

James Cook is often credited as being the first sea captain to eliminate scurvy in his sailors, principally by using sauerkraut (pickled cabbage), although the some people believe his success in doing this has been overstated not least because the vitamin C content of sauerkraut is minimal. [http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/empire_seapower/captaincook_scurvy_05.shtml]

Lack of vitamin C causes scurvy because ascorbic acid provides a hydroxyl group for the hydroxylation of proline residues to from hydroxyproline in the protein collagen. These hydroxyproline residues form hydrogen bonds between chains of collagen, holding them together. Thus in the absence of vitamin C, the collagen chains fall apart, which leads to the weakened connective tissue which causes the scurvy symptoms.

<big>'''Symptoms of scurvy'''</big> [http://www.scurvysymptoms.net/]
* The gums become soft and tender.
* There is bleeding from the mucus membranes.
* Spots are found in various parts of the body especially in the thighs and legs.
* A person affected by scurvy looks very pale and depressed and weak.
* There is no formation of new bones.
* The skin becomes pale and the eyes are sunken.
* Exhaustion, diarrhoea, fainting, kidney or lung disease follow suit.

Conservapedia - User contributions [en]

Lockjaw

Scurvy