Pellagra is a systemic disease that is caused by a deficiency of vitamin B3 in the body. This can impact the health of the entire body, and it can even lead to death. The condition is related to a lack of niacin in the diet of affected patients, and it is most common in food-limited populations.
The common symptoms of pellagra are:
Pellagra is caused by a deficiency of niacin, which is also known as vitamin B3. This is actually a form of malnutrition, and it is most common in populations that do not have access to a well-rounded and variable diet. This condition can be secondary to health conditions that cause trouble with the absorption of vitamin B3 as well.
The risk factors for this condition are:
A physical will need to be performed by a doctor, and information about diet will be informative in diagnosis. Blood tests can reveal problems in the diet, and urine tests will also reveal if there is enough niacin in the diet.
Treatment of this condition is done by supplementation of niacin in the diet. There are vitamin supplements that patients can take, or they might be able to modify their diet to include more of these foods. Patients with skin sores and other secondary problems might need supportive care to resolve these issues, along with supplementation of the niacin that is missing in the diet.
Patients with conditions like anorexia or who have had bariatric weight loss surgery might need to work with a dietician and mental health professionals to help them to recover. Patients who live in areas where food supplies are limited might need education about the essential nutrients that need to be added to the diet and ways to supplement these essentials when food supplies are inaccessible.
Prevention of this condition in most patients requires ingesting enough niacin in the diet. Those who have complications with their health that have led to pellagra might need to work with therapists, dieticians, or other treatment specialists to get the support they need to resolve this dietary deficiency.