Types of Beriberi
Beriberi are classified into four categories based on symptoms:
1. Wet Beriberi
Wet Beriberi is also known as cardiovascular Beriberi as it affects the cardiovascular system. It can be fatal sometimes as it causes weakening of capillaries present in heart wall which results in heart failure.
Signs and Symptoms
- Increased heart rate
- Dyspnea
- Edema (Peripheral)
- Vasodilation
2. Dry Beriberi
It is also known as endemic neuritis. It affects the nervous system mainly central nervous system. It damages the nerves causing paralysis. Three types of dry beriberi are Wernicke’s encephalopathy (WE), Korsakoff syndrome (also known as alcohol amnestic illness), and Wernicke–Korsakoff syndrome.
Signs and symptoms
- Inability to walk
- Loss of sensation in hands and feet
- Muscle weakness
- Loss of muscle functioning
- Loss of tendon reflexes functioning
- Vomiting
- State of confusion
3. Infantile Beriberi
Infantile beriberi is usually not common but it occurs to infants of 2 to 6 months of age and are breastfed by mother who has a vitamin B1 deficiency. In the acute type, the infant experiences cyanosis and dyspnea before passing away from heart failure.
Sign and Symptoms
- Vomiting
- Weight loss
- Hoarseness
- Diarrhoea
- Edema
- Pale skin
- Rapid heart rate
4. Gastrointestinal Beriberi
It is characterized by the pain in the stomach.
Sign and Symptoms
- Stomach ache
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Lactic acidosis
Beriberi – Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
Beriberi is a nutritional deficiency that is caused by a deficiency of vitamin B1 or thiamine. Beriberi mainly affects the cardiovascular system and central nervous system. Beriberi mainly happens to those individuals whose diet is not rich in vitamin B group. Broadly there are two types of Beriberi known as wet and dry beriberi. In this article, we will look into the types, causes, signs, symptoms, and treatment of beriberi.
Table of Content
- Definition of Beriberi
- What is Beriberi?
- Who Is Most Susceptible to Beriberi?
- Types of Beriberi
- Signs and Symptoms of Beriberi
- Causes of Beriberi
- Diagnosis of Beriberi
- Treatment of Beriberi
- Prevention of Beriberi