beriberi

beri·beri .ber-ē-'ber-ē n a deficiency disease marked by inflammatory or degenerative changes of the nerves, digestive system, and heart and caused by a lack of or inability to assimilate thiamine called also kakke

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n.

a nutritional disorder due to deficiency of vitamin B₁ (thiamin). It is widespread in rice-eating communities in which the diet is based on polished rice, from which the seed coat (which is rich in thiamin) has been removed. Beriberi takes two forms: wet beriberi, in which there is an accumulation of tissue fluid (oedema), and dry beriberi, in which there is extreme emaciation. There is nervous degeneration in both forms of the disease and death from heart failure is often the outcome.

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beri·beri (ber″e-berґe) [Singhalese, “I cannot,” signifying that the person is too ill to do anything] a disease caused by a deficiency of thiamine (vitamin B₁) and characterized by polyneuritis, cardiac pathology, and edema. The epidemic form is found primarily in areas in which white (polished) rice is the staple food, as in Japan, China, the Philippines, India, and other countries of Southeast Asia. Called also rice disease, dietetic neuritis, neuritis multiplex endemica, and endemic polyneuritis. See also nutritional polyneuropathy. beriberic adj