Causes And Signs Of Iron Deficiency Anaemia
Iron is required by our body to perform different functions. Its deficiency causes anaemia. It is important for everyone to take iron in sufficient amounts. Read about the causes and signs of iron deficiency anaemia, so that you can know when to it is necessary to check your haemoglobin and iron levels.
Iron is a very important nutrient amongst all. Deficiency of iron in the body causes certain characteristic signs and symptoms in the body. Iron deficiency can be the result of improper food intake.
Improper nutrition during growing years when the requirement of iron is high usually causes iron deficiency anaemia. Children between 6 months to 2 years and 11 to 16 years and pregnant women require iron in large quantities. Also menstruating females require iron in large quantities.
Other causes are heavy menstrual flow, bleeding from gastro intestinal tract due to conditions like gastric ulcers. Malabsorption of iron from intestine, loss of blood due to haemorrhoids, fissure in anus can cause iron loss. Rare causes are cancer of stomach in elderly persons, and diseases such as inflammatory bowel diseases.
Hookworm infestation is also a common cause of iron deficiency in children. Vegetarians are more prone to iron deficiency as iron is found in more amounts in animal foods than in vegetarian diets.
Due to iron deficiency anaemia, you will experience the following symptoms. Easy fatigue, weakness, body ache, shifting muscle pains and breathlessness are the most common symptoms. The child has inability to concentrate and giddiness.
Breathless on exertion and palpitations are very common symptoms and present in almost all cases of anaemia. This is due to lack of oxygen supply to the cells and tissues of body.
The tongue becomes smooth and pale. Webs are present in the pharynx and there is difficulty in swallowing in anaemia. Nails become thin and fragile. Longitudinal ridges appear on the nails and nails may become spoon shaped due to iron deficiency in body. There is mild degree of increase in the size of spleen and liver.
There can be perversion of appetite like excessive eating of rice. Sometimes a female presents with disturbance in menstrual cycle and can result in suppression of menses. So eat iron rich food always and prevent all these symptoms.
