What are the causes of iron deficiency anemia?
Dec 31, 2024
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Liu Feng
Introduction
Iron deficiency anemia may be caused by increased demand during growth and development, unbalanced diet, hemorrhoids, atrophic gastritis, hookworm disease, and other factors. In daily life, it is important to maintain a balanced diet to ensure adequate intake of iron and other nutrients. Additionally, personal hygiene should be emphasized to prevent parasitic infections and maintain good health.
Generally, iron deficiency anemia may be caused by increased demand during growth and development, unbalanced diet, hemorrhoids, hookworm disease, atrophic gastritis, and other factors. If the above situations occur, timely medical treatment is recommended. Detailed analysis is as follows:
1. Increased Demand During Growth and Development
In infants, adolescents, and pregnant or lactating women, the body's requirement for iron significantly increases due to rapid growth or the process of孕育 new life. If iron intake is insufficient to meet these developmental needs, iron deficiency anemia may develop. This condition can usually be improved through consumption of iron-rich foods.
2. Unbalanced Diet
Long-term insufficient iron intake or an unreasonable dietary structure can lead to inadequate iron stores in the body, failing to meet the needs of normal metabolic processes, thereby causing iron deficiency anemia. A balanced diet should be maintained in daily life to ensure adequate nutritional intake.
3. Hemorrhoids
Dietary factors, constipation, diarrhea, and other conditions may lead to hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids are a common disease affecting the anal area and often cause chronic bleeding. Long-term bleeding from hemorrhoids can result in significant loss of iron, leading to iron deficiency anemia. Symptoms may include anal pain and itching. Treatment may involve the use of medications such as Ma Ying Long Musk Hemorrhoid Ointment, Viola hemorrhoid ointment, or chlorhexidine acetate hemorrhoid suppositories, as directed by a physician.
4. Hookworm Disease
Hookworm disease is primarily caused by hookworm infection. Hookworms parasitize the small intestine and feed on blood, and long-term infestation can lead to chronic blood loss and excessive loss of iron, thereby causing iron deficiency anemia. Symptoms may include abdominal pain and indigestion. Patients should take medications such as albendazole tablets, mebendazole tablets, or pyrantel pamoate tablets as directed by a physician.
5. Atrophic Gastritis
Helicobacter pylori is the main cause of atrophic gastritis. Atrophic gastritis reduces gastric acid secretion and causes gastric mucosal atrophy, which may damage the site of iron absorption, thus causing the aforementioned symptoms. Symptoms may include epigastric dull pain and abdominal distension. Treatment may involve taking medications such as omeprazole enteric-coated capsules, lansoprazole enteric-coated tablets, or ranitidine hydrochloride tablets under the guidance of a physician.
In daily life, attention should be paid to a balanced diet to ensure sufficient intake of iron and other nutrients. Personal hygiene should also be maintained to prevent parasitic infections and maintain good health.
