Is scurvy a real disease, or just the name for a deficiency of vitamin C?

Scurvy is a real disease that is separate from, though caused by, a deficiency of vitamin C. Similarly, pernicious anemia is a real disease that is separate from, though caused by, a deficiency of vitamin B12. The reason why we don’t usually talk about pernicious anemia is because we often catch the deficiency before it reaches the point of causing disease.

Remember the term “Limey” as referd to British sailors? Scurvy was a real problem for the British navy on long voyages due to a lack of fresh fruit. It was realized if they took limes (long shelf life) on extended voyages they could ward off Scurvy.

“Humans are unable to synthesize vitamin C – which is necessary for collagen production and iron absorption – and so they must obtain it from external sources (such as citrus fruits). Therefore, people must consume fruits and vegetables that contain or are fortified with vitamin C in order to avoid the vitamin C deficiency known as scurvy. ”

Medical News Today

Deficiencies
Vitamin B3—pellagra
Vitamin B12—pernicious anemia
Vitamin C—scurvy
Vitamin D—ricketts (in children)

Damn. Conflicting answers. We shall have to settle this with a duel to the DEATH!!! (Or, I’m bored)

No. It is real, and there are no ambiguities on this issue.The symptoms of a vit. C deficiency are obvious and nasty. From site cited by @marinelife. Always an issue for people on long sea voyages, re @Don917.

“Scurvy symptoms may begin with appetite loss, poor weight gain, diarrhea, rapid breathing, fever, irritability, tenderness and discomfort in legs, swelling over long bones, bleeding (hemorrhaging), and feelings of paralysis.

As the disease progresses, a scurvy victim may present bleeding of the gums, loosened teeth, petechial hemorrhage of the skin and mucous membranes (a tiny pinpoint red mark), bleeding in the eye, proptopsis of the eyeball (protruding eye), constochondral beading (beading of the cartilage between joints), hyperkeratosis (a skin disorder), corkscrew hair, and sicca syndrome (an automimmune disease affecting connective tissue). ”

@gailcalled No, I don’t mean real like not imaginary, I mean real like separate from a vit. C deficiency. Like how cystic fibrosis isn’t a real disease (because it’s actually a disorder, not because those incredibly sick kids that die are all just a bunch of whiners).

Scurvy is the name of the disease caused by insufficient Vit. C

@papayalily

“cystic fibrosis isn’t a real disease (because it’s actually a disorder”

I don’t think that’s the case. Most definitions of “disease” state that it’s any dysfunction of the body or of health.

As for the difference bytewwn a disease and a disorder you’ll see that there is no standard agreement! (Here’s another good discussion on the issue)

@papayalily Scurvy is a disease, it’s just not an infection.

To Wikipedia!

“Scurvy is a disease resulting from a deficiency of vitamin C”

It’s like malnutrition being caused by a lack of food and drink. Not a viral or bacterial infection, but a disease nonetheless.