A Secondary Nutritional Deficiency
Secondary nutritional deficiencies occur when illnesses, diseases or organ failure prevent the body from receiving nutrients from the food you eat. According to the World Health Organization, more than 792 million people are estimated to suffer from malnutrition due to chronic food deficits. As if these food shortages weren’t problematic enough, illnesses such as diarrhoeal disease exacerbate nutrition deficiencies by impeding your body’s ability to process nutrients and minerals from food. Although most cases occur in developing countries, secondary nutritional deficiencies can occur anywhere and should be treated by a health care professional.
DEFINITION
Depending on the scope of your condition, secondary nutritional deficiencies can have a debilitating effect on your health and energy levels. In addition to depriving your body of essential nutrients and minerals, secondary malnutrition can lead to diseases linked with nutritional deficiencies, such as scurvy. One of the most common causes of secondary malnutrition is diarrhoeal disease, a condition that is also the second leading cause of death in children under 5 years old. Diarrhoeal disease occurs due to inflammation of the intestinal tract, generally caused by bacteria, viruses or parasites from contaminated food or drinking water.
SECONDARY VS. PRIMARY
According to study published of the “Journal of Pathology,” substances such as alcohol can cause injurious effects on the liver, pancreas and intestines, leading to secondary nutritional deficiency. Since these organs are primarily responsible for distributing nutrients to the blood during digestion, conditions such as renal or liver disease are considered causes of secondary malnutrition. Primary malnutrition occurs when the body receives either too little food or food with little nutritional content.
IMPLICATIONS
Unlike secondary malnutrition, primary malnutrition is relatively easy to fix with improved access to nutritious foods. Depending on the severity of the condition that causes your secondary nutritional deficiency, you may need multiple treatments, medications or surgery in order to restore your body to its normal faculties. According to a report cited by the United Nations University, many conditions causing and resulting from secondary malnutrition are treatable, including renal disease, Crohn’s disease, delayed bone maturity and trichuris dysentery syndrome.
SAFETY CONCERNS
Contact your doctor if you are concerned that you or a loved one may be suffering from secondary nutritional deficiency. Therapy and counseling may be required in situations where secondary malnutrition is caused by substance abuse or addiction.