Iron Deficiency Anemia – What is it, Symptoms and Treatments!

Iron Deficiency Anemia – What it is, Symptoms and Treatments of this disease. Also, Iron Deficiency Anemia occurs when you have a level of red blood cells (red blood cells) in your blood that is lower than normal.

Iron Deficiency Anemia is the most common type of anemia, and it occurs when your body lacks the mineral iron . Your body needs iron  to make a protein called hemoglobin. This protein is responsible for carrying oxygen to your body’s tissues, which is essential for your tissues and muscles to function effectively.

When there isn’t enough iron in your bloodstream, the rest of your body can’t get the amount of oxygen it needs. While the condition can be common, many people are unaware that they have Iron Deficiency Anemia . It is possible to experience symptoms for years without ever knowing the cause.

In women of childbearing age, the most common cause of Iron Deficiency Anemia is loss of iron in the blood   due to menstruation or pregnancy. A poor diet or certain bowel diseases that affect how the body absorbs iron can also cause Iron Deficiency Anemia . Doctors typically treat the condition with iron supplements or dietary changes .

Causes of Iron Deficiency Anemia: According to the American Society of Hematology, iron deficiency  is the most common cause of anemia. There are many reasons why a person may become iron deficient . These include:

Inadequate Iron Intake: Eating too little iron for an extended amount of time can cause a shortage in your body. Foods like meat, eggs and some green leafy vegetables are high in iron . As iron is essential during periods of rapid growth and development, pregnant women and young children may need more iron -rich foods in their diet .

Pregnancy or Menstrual Blood Loss: In women of childbearing age, the most common causes of iron deficiency anemia are heavy menstrual bleeding and blood loss   during childbirth.

Internal Bleeding: Certain medical conditions can cause internal bleeding, which can lead to Iron Deficiency Anemia . Examples include a stomach ulcer, polyps in the colon or intestine, or colon cancer. Regular use of pain relievers such as aspirin can also cause stomach bleeding.

Inability to Absorb Iron: Certain disorders or surgeries that affect the intestines can also interfere with how your body absorbs iron . Even if you have enough iron in your diet , celiac disease or bowel surgery such as gastric bypass can limit the amount of iron your body can absorb.

Symptoms of Iron Deficiency Anemia: The symptoms of Iron Deficiency Anemia can be very mild at first and you may not even notice it. According to the American Society of Hematology, most people don’t realize they have mild anemia until they have a  routine blood test.

Symptoms of  moderate to severe Iron Deficiency Anemia include:

• general fatigue
• Weakness
• Pale skin
• Shortness of breathe
• Dizziness
• Odd angles for eating non-food items like dirt, ice, or clay
• A tingling or crawling in the legs
• Tongue swelling or pain
• Cold hands and feet
• Fast or irregular heartbeat
• brittle nails
• Headaches

Risk Factors for Iron Deficiency Anemia: Iron deficiency anemia is a common condition and can occur in both men and women of any age and from any ethnic group. Some people may be at greater risk of Iron Deficiency Anemia than others. These include:

• women of childbearing age
• pregnant women
• People with poor diets
• People who donate blood   frequently
• Infants and children, especially those born prematurely or experiencing a growth spurt
• Vegetarians who do not replace meat with other iron -rich foods

If you are at risk for Iron Deficiency Anemia , speak with your doctor to determine whether blood tests or dietary   changes may benefit you.

Diagnoses of Iron Deficiency Anemia: A doctor can diagnose Iron Deficiency Anemia with blood tests  . These include:

Complete Blood Cell Test: A complete blood cell test is usually the first test a doctor will use. A CBC test measures the amount of all components in the blood  , including:

• Red blood cells (red blood cells)
• White blood cells (white blood cells)
• Hemoglobin
• hematocrit
• platelets

The CBC test provides information about your blood   that is helpful in diagnosing Iron Deficiency Anemia . This information includes:

• The hematocrit level, which is the percentage of blood volume   that is made up of red blood cells
• The hemoglobin level
• The size of your red blood cells

A normal hematocrit range is 34.9 to 44.5 percent for adult women and 38.8 to 50 percent for adult men. The normal range for hemoglobin is 12.0 to 15.5 grams per decilitator for an adult female and 13.5 to 17.5 grams per deciliter for an adult male. In Iron Deficiency Anemia , hematocrit and hemoglobin levels are low. Also, red blood cells are usually smaller than normal.

A CBC test is often performed as part of a routine physical exam. It is a good indicator of a person’s overall health. It can also be performed routinely before surgery. This test is helpful in diagnosing this type of anemia, as most people with iron deficiency don’t realize it.

Iron Deficiency Anemia in Women: Pregnancy, significant menstrual bleeding and uterine fibroids are all reasons why women are more likely to experience Iron Deficiency Anemia .

Heavy menstrual bleeding occurs when a woman bleeds more or more than women usually bleed during menstruation. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), typical menstrual bleeding lasts four to five days and the amount of blood loss   ranges from 2 to 3 tablespoons. Women with excessive menstrual bleeding typically bled for more than seven days and lost   twice as much blood as normal.

According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI), about 20 percent of women of childbearing age have Iron Deficiency Anemia . Pregnant women are even more likely to experience Iron Deficiency Anemia because they require greater amounts of blood   to support their growing babies.

A pelvic ultrasound can be used to look for the source of excess bleeding during a woman’s period, such as fibroids. Like iron deficiency anemia , uterine fibroids often cause no symptoms.

However, they occur when muscle tumors grow in the uterus. While they are usually not cancerous, they can often cause heavy menstrual bleeding that can lead to Iron Deficiency Anemia .

Possible Complications of Iron Deficiency Anemia: Most cases of Iron Deficiency Anemia are mild and do not cause complications. The condition can usually be easily corrected. However, if anemia or iron deficiency is left untreated, it can lead to other health problems, including:

Fast or Irregular Heartbeats: When you are anemic, your heart must pump more blood  to compensate for the low amount of oxygen. This can lead to irregular heartbeats. In severe cases, it can lead to heart failure or an enlarged heart .

Pregnancy Complications: In severe cases of Iron Deficiency Anemia , a child may be born prematurely or with low birth weight. Most pregnant women take iron supplements as part of their prenatal care to prevent this from happening.

Deferred Growth in Infants and Children: Infants and children who are severely deficient in iron may experience a delay in their growth and development. They may also be more likely to get infections.

Iron Deficiency Anemia Treatments: These are the following forms of treatments for Iron Deficiency Anemia :

Iron Supplements: Iron pills can help restore iron levels  in your body. If possible, you should take iron tablets on an empty stomach, which helps the body absorb them better. If they upset your stomach, you can take them with your meals. You may need to take the supplements for several months. Iron supplements can cause constipation or black stools.

Diet: High diets that include the following foods can help treat or prevent iron deficiency:

• Red meat
• Dark green, leafy vegetables
• Dry fruits
• Nuts
• Iron -fortified cereals

In addition, vitamin C helps the body absorb iron . If you are taking  iron tablets , a doctor may suggest taking the tablets along with a source of vitamin C , such as a glass of orange or citrus juice.

Treating the Underlying Cause of Bleeding: Iron supplements will not help if excess bleeding causes deficiency. A doctor may prescribe birth control pills for women with heavy periods. This can reduce the amount of menstrual bleeding each month.

In the most severe cases, a blood transfusion can   quickly   replace iron and blood loss .

Prevention of Iron Deficiency Anemia: When caused by an inadequate intake of iron , Iron Deficiency Anemia can be prevented by eating a diet rich in foods rich in iron and vitamin C. Mothers should make sure to feed their babies breast milk or iron -fortified infant formula .

• Foods high in iron include:
• Meat, such as lamb, pork, chicken, and beef
• beans
• Pumpkin and pumpkin seeds
• Brittle greens like spinach
• Raisins and other dried fruits
• Eggs
• Seafood such as clams, sardines, shrimp and oysters
• Iron -fortified dry and instant cereals

Foods rich in vitamin C include:

• Citrus fruits such as oranges, grapefruits, strawberries, kiwis, guavas, papayas, pineapples, melons and mangoes
• Broccoli
• Red and green peppers
• Brussel sprouts
• Cauliflower
• tomatoes
• Green leaves

Iron Deficiency Anemia Outlook: If you experience symptoms of Iron Deficiency Anemia , talk to your doctor. Self-diagnosis and self-treatment of Iron Deficiency Anemia can result in adverse health effects due to excess iron in your blood  . Complications of too much iron in your blood   include liver damage and constipation.