dry beriberi

Symptoms and Characteristics of Dry Beriberi

Dry beriberi, also known as dry berri or adult beriberi, is a form of thiamine deficiency that primarily affects the nervous system. The symptoms and characteristics of dry beriberi can be summarized as follows:

• Neuropathy: Dry beriberi is characterized by neuropathy, which has a severity that correlates with the degree and duration of thiamine deficiency [3].
• Symmetric sensorimotor neuropathy: It commonly manifests as a symmetric sensorimotor neuropathy that primarily affects the distal extremities [2].
• Difficulty walking: One of the primary symptoms of dry beriberi is difficulty walking, which can be accompanied by loss of feeling (sensation) in hands and feet [1][5][9].
• Numbness and tingling: The condition also causes numbness and tingling sensations in the fingers or feet [7].
• Muscle weakness and loss: Dry beriberi can lead to decreased muscle function, particularly in both lower legs [4].

Overall, dry beriberi is a serious condition that requires prompt medical attention. If left untreated, it can lead to severe complications and even death.

References:

[1] Aug 15, 2022 — Symptoms. [2] by A Dhaliwal · 2020 · Cited by 4 — [3] by AA Shible · 2019 · Cited by 63 — [4] [5] May 5, 2023 — Symptoms of Beriberi [7] May 9, 2024 — Thiamine deficiency with nervous system involvement is termed dry beriberi. [9] Oct 3, 2024 — Symptoms.

Dry Beriberi Symptoms

Dry beriberi, also known as dry beriberi disease or nutritional deficiency, is a condition caused by a lack of vitamin B1 (thiamine) in the body. The symptoms of dry beriberi can vary from person to person but often include:

• Difficulty walking: This is one of the earliest and most common symptoms of dry beriberi [1].
• Loss of feeling (sensation) in hands and feet: As the condition progresses, people may experience numbness or tingling sensations in their extremities [2].
• Loss of muscle function or paralysis of the lower legs: In severe cases, dry beriberi can lead to muscle weakness or paralysis in the lower limbs [3].
• Mental confusion: Some individuals with dry beriberi may experience mental fogginess, confusion, or disorientation [4].
• Pain: Generalized pain and body aches are also common symptoms of dry beriberi [5].

It's essential to seek medical attention if you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms. Early detection and treatment can help prevent further complications.

References: [1] Aug 15, 2022 — Symptoms. [2] Symptoms · Difficulty walking · Loss of feeling (sensation) in hands and feet · Loss of muscle function or paralysis of the lower legs · Mental confusion · Pain ... [3] Dry beriberi symptoms include: decreased muscle function, particularly in ... [4] May 4, 2023 — Symptoms of Beriberi · Weakness and muscle loss · Mental confusion · Tingling or loss of sensitivity in the fingers or feet · Fatigue · Rapid heart ... [5] May 24, 2019 — Symptoms of dry beriberi include: general pain and body aches; vomiting; difficulty walking; confusion; numbness in the hands or feet; paralysis ...

Diagnostic Tests for Dry Beriberi

Dry beriberi, also known as wet beriberi, is a condition caused by thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency. The diagnostic tests for dry beriberi are crucial in confirming the diagnosis and ruling out other conditions with similar symptoms.

• Blood tests: Blood tests can measure the levels of thiamine in the blood, which can help confirm the diagnosis of dry beriberi [5]. Additionally, blood tests can also measure other related parameters such as pyruvate, alpha-ketoglutarate, lactate, and glyoxylate levels [6].
• Urine tests: Urine tests can also be used to measure the levels of thiamine in the urine, which can help confirm the diagnosis of dry beriberi [1][4].
• Electromyography (EMG): EMG is a diagnostic test that can help diagnose dry beriberi by measuring the electrical activity of muscles. However, it's worth noting that the features of GBS and dry beriberi overlap, making EMG not entirely specific for dry beriberi [2].
• Other tests: Other tests such as erythrocyte thiamine pyrophosphate, arterial blood gas, lactate, and thyroid function tests may also be ordered to help diagnose dry beriberi [7].

It's essential to note that a series of medical tests is usually required to determine whether you have dry beriberi. A healthcare professional will interpret the results of these tests to confirm the diagnosis.

References: [1] Aug 15, 2022 — Exams and Tests · Blood tests to measure the amount of thiamine in the blood · Urine tests to see if thiamine is passing through the urine ... [2] by AA Shible · 2019 · Cited by 63 — GBS and its variants can be diagnosed using through electromyography, but the features overlap with those of dry beriberi [9]. [4] Oct 3, 2024 — Blood tests to measure the amount of thiamine in the blood; Urine tests to see if thiamine is passing through the urine. [5] May 9, 2024 — If laboratory confirmation is needed, measure blood thiamine, pyruvate, alpha-ketoglutarate, lactate, and glyoxylate levels. Also, measure ... [6] Sep 3, 2021 — 1st tests to order · erythrocyte thiamine pyrophosphate · arterial blood gas · lactate · thyroid function tests. [7] May 24, 2019 — Doctors rely on both blood and urine tests to help measure the levels of thiamine in a person's bloodstream to diagnose beriberi. They will also ...

Treatment of Dry Beriberi

Dry beriberi, also known as neurological or wet beriberi, is a condition caused by thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency. The goal of treatment for dry beriberi is to increase thiamine levels in the body.

• Thiamine Supplements: Thiamine supplements are given orally or intravenously to replace the thiamine lacking

Understanding Dry Beriberi: A Rare Condition Mimicking Guillain-Barre Syndrome

Dry beriberi, a rare condition caused by thiamine deficiency, can mimic the symptoms of Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS), an acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy. This is because both conditions share similar neurological symptoms such as peripheral neuropathy, weakness, and autonomic instability [1].

Differential Diagnosis

The diagnosis of dry beriberi can be challenging due to its similarity with other conditions like GBS. A differential diagnosis should consider various factors including vitamin deficiencies, particularly thiamine deficiency, which is a common cause of dry beriberi [3]. Other conditions that may present similarly include neuropathy, weakness, cardiomyopathy, or autonomic instability.

Symptoms and Signs

The symptoms of dry beriberi can be divided into two categories: neurological and cardiovascular. Neurological symptoms include peripheral neuropathy, weakness, lack of coordination, difficulty walking, droopy eyelids, and weak reflexes [8]. Cardiovascular symptoms include dilated cardiomyopathy with high output heart failure.

Importance of Thiamine Repletion

Thiamine repletion is essential in the treatment of dry beriberi. Symptoms can improve significantly after thiamine supplementation, which differentiates it from other conditions like GBS [7].

Medical Tests for Diagnosis

A series of medical tests are required to determine whether a person has beriberi. Blood and urine tests will measure the levels of thiamine in the body, while a neurological exam will look for signs of lack of coordination, difficulty walking, droopy eyelids, and weak reflexes [8].

Risk Factors and Symptoms

Beriberi is a potentially life-threatening condition that occurs when a person has a severe thiamine deficiency. Risk factors include populations where polished rice and milled cereals are the primary food source, and in patients with malnutrition or gastrointestinal disorders [6]. Symptoms of beriberi can be divided into two categories: wet and dry beriberi.

References

[1] AA Shible · 2019 · Cited by 63 — Dry beriberi can mimic the most common form of Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS), an acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (AIDP).

[3] The diagnosis of dry beriberi can be challenging due to its similarity with other conditions like GBS. A differential diagnosis should consider various factors including vitamin