Presentation on deficiency diseases

Deficiency Diseases:

Deficiency diseases occur when one or more nutrients are not present in our diet for a long period of time. Thus, diseases occur due to the deficiency of one or more nutrients. All deficiency diseases can be prevented by taking a balanced diet.

Diseases/disorders caused due to the deficiency of minerals/vitamins:

1. Kwashiorkar: It is caused by the deficiency of proteins in small children. The main symptoms are:

1. The skin of the child cracks and becomes red.
2. The hair of the child becomes red.
3. The stomach of the child becomes swollen and bulges out.
4. The growth becomes stunted.
5. The child becomes weak and irritable.

1. Marasmus: It is a carbohydrate as well as protein deficiency disease which occurs in infants. The main symptoms are:

1. The child becomes very lean and thin.
2. The child is reduced to just skin and bones.
3. The ribs of the child look prominent.
4. The growth of the child stops.

1. Night blindness: It is caused due to the deficiency of vitamin A. Severe deficiency of vitamin A may lead to complete blindness. In this disease, a person is not able to see in dim light.
2. Beri-beri: It is caused due to the deficiency of vitamin B1.

The main symptoms are:

1. The muscles of the person become very weak.
2. The person has little energy to do work.
3. The person may suffer from heart failure and become paralysed.

1. Scurvy: It is caused due to the deficiency of vitamin C. Symptoms of scurvy includes:

1. Bleeding from gums
2. Loosening of teeth
3. Wounds do not heal easily.

1. Rickets: Rickets is caused due to the deficiency of vitamin D. The main symptoms of this disease are bow legs (bent legs) and a pigeon type chest.