Iron deficiency anemia is a condition where your body does not
have enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen to your tissues. This can
make you feel tired, weak, pale and short of breath. Iron deficiency anemia is
the most common type of anemia and it can affect anyone, but some groups are
more at risk than others.
Causes of iron deficiency
Iron deficiency anemia is caused by a lack of iron in your body.
Iron is an essential mineral that helps your body make haemoglobin, a protein
in your red blood cells that carries oxygen. You can get iron from the food you
eat, such as meat, eggs, beans, nuts, seeds and fortified cereals. However,
sometimes you may not get enough iron from your diet or you may lose iron due
to:
- Heavy menstrual bleeding
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Peptic ulcers or other sources of internal bleeding
- Inflammatory bowel disease or coeliac disease
- Parasitic infections such as hookworm
- Certain medications that reduce stomach acid or interfere with iron absorption
Symptoms of iron deficiency anemia
Common symptoms include:
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- pale skin
- shortness of breath
- dizziness
- cold hands and feet
- headaches
- brittle nails
- Individuals may also experience an increased heart rate, restless legs, and difficulty concentrating.
If you notice these symptoms, it's essential to consult a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Diagnosis of iron deficiency
If you have symptoms of iron deficiency anemia, such as fatigue,
pale skin, chest pain, fast heartbeat or shortness of breath, you should see
your doctor for a blood test. A blood test can measure the level of haemoglobin
and the size and number of your red blood cells. It can also check the level of
iron and ferritin (a protein that stores iron) in your blood. These tests can
help confirm if you have iron deficiency anemia and how severe it is.
Your doctor may also order some tests to find out the cause of your
iron deficiency anemia, such as:
- A stool test to check for blood or parasites in your stool
- An endoscopy or colonoscopy to examine your digestive tract for ulcers or inflammation
- A pelvic ultrasound to look for fibroids or other problems in your uterus
- A bone marrow biopsy to rule out other types of anemia
Treatment of iron deficiency
The main treatment for iron deficiency anemia is to increase the
amount of iron in your body. This can be done by:
- Eating more iron-rich foods, such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, beans, nuts, seeds and fortified cereals
- Eating foods high in vitamin C, such as citrus fruits, tomatoes, broccoli and peppers, to help your body absorb more iron from plant sources
- Taking iron supplements as prescribed by your doctor. You should take them with water or juice on an empty stomach or with a small amount of food if they cause stomach upset. You should avoid taking them with tea, coffee, milk or dairy products as they can reduce iron absorption.
- Having intravenous (IV) iron therapy if you have severe iron deficiency anaemia or if you cannot tolerate oral iron supplements. This involves getting iron through a vein in your arm.
The duration of treatment depends on how low your iron level is and
how well you respond to the treatment. Your doctor will monitor your blood
tests and adjust your dose accordingly. You may need to continue taking iron
supplements for several months after your hemoglobin level returns to normal
to replenish your iron stores.
Complications of iron deficiency
If left untreated, iron deficiency anemia can lead to serious
health problems, such as:
- Heart problems. Low haemoglobin levels can make your heart work harder to pump oxygen-rich blood around your body. This can cause an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia), an enlarged heart (cardiomegaly) or heart failure.
- Pregnancy complications. Iron deficiency anaemia can increase the risk of preterm delivery, low birth weight, postpartum haemorrhage and maternal mortality.
- Growth and development problems. Iron deficiency anaemia can affect the growth and development of children and adolescents. It can impair their cognitive function, behaviour, learning ability and immune system.
- Increased susceptibility to infections. Iron deficiency anemia can weaken your immune system and make you more prone to infections.
Prevention of iron deficiency
You can prevent iron deficiency anemia by eating a balanced diet that includes enough iron-rich foods. You should also avoid foods and drinks that can interfere with iron absorption, such as tea, coffee, milk and dairy products. If you are at risk of iron deficiency anemia due to heavy menstrual bleeding, pregnancy or other causes, you should talk to your doctor about taking iron supplements or other preventive measures.
Iron deficiency anemia is a common and treatable condition that
can affect your quality of life. If you have any symptoms or risk factors for
iron deficiency anemia, you should see your doctor for a diagnosis and
treatment. By increasing your iron intake and addressing the underlying cause
of your iron deficiency, you can improve your haemoglobin level and your
overall health.
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