In Short Supply Trivia Quiz

Answer: Scurvy

Scurvy is also known as Moeller's disease, Cheadle's disease or Barlow's disease. It reveals itself at the start as tiredness and a general feeling that the body is weak, particularly in the arms and the legs. If it is not treated the victim's red blood cell is likely to drop and they could experience bleeding from the skin.

This, in turn, can leave the body prone to infection and struggling with the healing of wounds. It may lead to personality changes and it can result, ultimately, in death. Prevention is through the consumption of foods rich in vitamin C, such as citrus fruit, and a range of vegetables such as tomatoes (yes, it is a fruit) and potatoes. Raw is best as cooking will destroy the vitamin content.

Answer: Hypocalcemia

The body needs calcium for the maintenance of healthy bones and teeth. Calcium also assists in the normal function of muscles and the nervous system. Amongst other things, low levels of calcium may come about from renal failure, alcoholism, magnesium or vitamin D deficiencies or the taking of certain drugs such as diuretics, estrogen replacement therapy and insulin. Possible symptoms of hypocalcemia include muscle spasms or twitches. Known as "neuromuscular irritability" it will be prevalent in the nerves and muscles that have close links to the blood's calcium levels.

Answer: Kwashiorkor

Also known as edematous malnutrition this is a disease that is common in areas beset with famine. Those afflicted will present an emaciated appearance in all areas of the body apart from the ankles, the feet and the belly. These will become swollen as a result of fluid retention, or edema, hence the alternate name listed above. If treated early patients can make a full recovery.

Answer: Monosomy

The most well known form of monosomy in humans is labelled Turner Syndrome or TS. A female suffering TS will be partly or completely missing the X chromosome. They are generally characterised having short and webbed necks, low hairlines at the back of the neck, swollen hands and are short in stature.

They would be unlikely to develop breasts or have menstrual periods without hormone therapy and will not have children without the assistance of some form of reproductive technology.

Answer: Albinism

There are two main types of albinism:

Ocular albinism, in which the eyes are affected, but the colour of their hair and skin is fairly normal and oculocutaneous albinism, in which the hair, skin and eyes are all affected. Albinism can affect all racial and ethnic groups across the globe. The gene is usually passed down from the parents although the parents may not exhibit signs of albinism, nor is there a simple test that can be used to identify if a person is carrying the gene. The key for people afflicted with the condition is to ensure that their skin and their eyes are well protected from the sun.

Answer: Hypokalemia

Potassium is necessary for the body's nerve and muscle functions, none more so than the heart. Hypokalemia can lead to abnormal heart rhythms or weakness in the muscles. Symptoms may include muscle cramping, fatigue and palpitations. Usually low potassium levels are the side effect of another condition, for example Bartter syndrome or Gutelman syndrome, or medications.

A poor intake of the electrolyte certainly won't help the situation but the body may also dispose of too much potassium through the urine or sweating.

Answer: Goitre

Approximately 90% of the world's goitre (enlarged thyroid) cases are the result of an iodine deficiency. Goitre can also be the result of an autoimmune disease or thyroid nodules. The treatment for the affliction will be dependant upon the cause but could include observation, iodine supplementation or thyroxine suppression.

Answer: Rickets

People suffering from rickets may have weak or soft bones, their growth may be stunted or they could end up with skeletal deformities. The main driver of this is the lack of vitamin D which assists the body to absorb the necessary calcium and phosphates from the body's intestines to strengthen these bones. This vitamin D deficiency creates a double whammy because not only is not helping with the absorption of calcium, it produces a hormone that causes calcium and phosphates to be released from the bones. Vitamin D can be absorbed by the body when it is exposed to sunlight or derived from foods fish, eggs or milk.

(Note) To avoid confusion with hypocalemia, where the body is lacking in calcium, here the body may well have a good supply of calcium but it is the lack of vitamin D which prevents the body from absorbing the appropriate levels.

Answer: Dyspnea

This has sometimes been called "air hunger" and its causes are wide and varied. This can make it difficult to diagnose. Signs may include a feeling of being smothered, coughing, wheezing, rapid and shallow breathing and a tightness in the chest. As stated, it can be due to a number of things such as an existing medical condition e.g. asthma, over-exertion, sudden changes in temperature or flying at altitude.

The condition could range from a mild attack to something that is serious or lasting for a long term.

Answer: Anemia

A person suffering from anemia will not have enough healthy red blood cells in their body to carry a strong supply of oxygen to the body's tissues. This will result in a feeling of tiredness. Symptoms will vary but will include, amongst other things, fatigue, headaches, irregular heartbeats and pale or yellow skin.

There are various causes of anemia, though the most common occur through deficiencies of iron or vitamin B12.