What Causes Iron Deficiency Anemia?

Video transcript:-
Iron Deficiency Anemia is a type of microcytic hypochromic anemia caused by insufficient iron levels in the body, leading to decreased hemoglobin synthesis and reduced oxygen-carrying capacity of red blood cells.
Patients with iron deficiency anemia typically present with exertional dyspnea, fatigue, generalized tiredness, and headache.
In this video, I discuss the most common causes of iron deficiency anemia.
Chronic Blood Loss, which is the commonest cause of iron deficiency in adults.
It can occur due to gastrointestinal bleeding especially in conditions like peptic ulcer disease, gastric or colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, Hemorrhoids, and esophageal varices, among others.
In addition, long term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and diclofenac can cause gastrointestinal bleeding.
Heavy menstrual bleeding can also cause iron deficiency anemia.
This can occur due to conditions like uterine fibroids, adenomyosis, and endometriosis.
Poor Dietary Intake of iron is another major cause of iron deficiency.
Iron is high in foods of animal origin compared to plant foods.
Additionally, iron from animal foods is absorbed better into the body.
Therefore, vegetarians, and vegans, as well as malnourished individuals are at a higher risk of developing iron deficiency.
Impaired Absorption of iron into the body is another cause of iron deficiency.
This can occur in conditions like celiac disease, atrophic gastritis, helicobacter pylori infection, and gastrectomy or bariatric surgery.
Long term use of proton pump inhibitors such as omeprazole can also cause iron deficiency.
Increased Physiological Demand can also cause iron deficiency anemia, especially during infancy, early childhood, and adolescence.
Other conditions where iron deficiency can occur include parasitic infections, especially hookworm, repeated blood donations, and chronic kidney disease.

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