A poor Asian American refugee who has been eating polished white rice has been experiencing loss of appetite, weight loss, memory loss, confusion, muscle weakness, pain, numbness, and tingling in the feet and hands. Her diagnosis is

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Beriberi is caused by a deficiency of thiamine (vitamin B1), which can occur in individuals whose diet consists mainly of polished white rice, as the milling process removes thiamine. The symptoms described, including loss of appetite, weight loss, memory loss, confusion, muscle weakness, and numbness and tingling in the feet and hands, are characteristic of beriberi.

A Poor Asian American Refugee Who Has Been Eating Polished