Iron deficiency anemia:Causes symptoms diagnosed and treatments
January 12, 2022
What is iron deficiency anemia?
Friends, let us tell you that this anemia occurs when the level of hemoglobin in your red blood cells (RBC) decreases. In addition, hemoglobin is the protein in your RBCs that is responsible for carrying oxygen to your tissues.
So this Iron a deficiency of anemia is the most common types of anemia so that’s friends, this is when your body does not have enough iron, and at the same time that which your body needs to make haemoglobin And tell that when there is not enough iron in your blood, and that is why the rest of your body does not get as much oxygen as it needs.
Friends, although this condition can be normal, and that many people do not know that they have iron deficiency anemia. And note that it is possible to experience symptoms for years without knowing the cause.
Not only in women of childbearing age, it is a common cause of iron deficiency anemia due to heavy menstruation and either it is a lack of iron in the blood due to pregnancy. And either a poor diet, or some intestinal diseases that affect the way the body absorbs iron, and they can also cause iron-deficiency anemia.
So friend’s this article we take closer of the look at the symptoms of the ron deficienc and along with all the causes and how to treat the condition, and this.
What are the symptoms of iron deficiency anemia?
Friends, let us tell you that the symptoms of iron deficiency anemia may be mild at first, and you may not even notice them. And let us tell you that according to the American Society of Hematology (ASH), most people do not know until they get regular blood tests.
Let us tell you that the symptoms of moderate to severe iron deficiency anemia can include the following:
- like this general fatigue
- your weakness
- your pale skin
- you have difficulty breathing
- make you dizzy
- And you have that strange craving to eat things of no nutritional value.
- tingling in your feet and the feeling of you either crawling
- swelling or pain in your tongue
- cold hands and feet
- and you have a fast and or irregular heartbeat
- your delicate nails
- your headache
What are the causes of iron deficiency anemia?
So that’s According a ASH of iron deficiency is the most common causes of the anemia. And that is, there can be many reasons for this iron deficiency in any person. And friends he joins in:
Insufficient iron intake
Let us tell you that for a long time, eating too little iron can lead to a deficiency in your body. And along with this, all those foods like meat, eggs and some green leafy vegetables are high in iron so that’s friend since iron is a essential during time of the rapid growth and development, pregnant women as well as all those young children may need even more iron-rich foods in their diet.
Due to pregnancy or anemia
menstruation
Let us tell you that heavy menstrual bleeding is a common cause of iron deficiency anemia in women of childbearing age only. And that is pregnancy as well, because at this point your body needs more iron to make enough oxygen for the baby.
Internal bleeding
Friends, let us tell you that only a few medical conditions can cause internal bleeding, as well as those that can lead to iron deficiency anemia. Examples include stomach ulcers, polyps or colon cancer in the colon or intestines itself. Regular use of some pain relievers such as aspirin can also cause bleeding in the stomach.
Inability to absorb iron
Be aware that certain disorders or surgeries affecting your intestines can also interfere with the way your body absorbs iron. And friends, that’s even if you get enough iron in your diet, and friends, that’s only because of celiac disease and either you’ve had intestinal surgery like a gastric bypass, or your body’s absorption of iron that’s you can also limits the amount.
Endometriosis
Friends, if you have endometriosis, and that is only during your period, you can have heavy blood loss. And with this you may not even know that you have endometriosis because it is hidden outside the uterus in the abdomen or pelvic area.
Genetics
Certain condition — I tell you that celiac disease — make it a difficult to the absorb enough iron, and are passed down through families to you. And it is also genetic conditions or mutations and those that can increase your problem so that’s one of theses is the TMRPSS6 mutation.
Let us tell you that this mutation causes your body to make too much hepcidin. And in addition, it is a hormone and one that can block your intestines from absorbing iron.
Let us tell you that other genetic conditions can contribute to anemia due to abnormal bleeding. And friends, those examples include von Willebrand’s disease and hemophilia.
What are the risk factors for iron deficiency anemia?
Let us tell you that this anemia is a common condition and at the same time it can occur in both men of any age group as well as women of any ethnic group. And it may also put some people at a higher risk of iron deficiency anemia than others, and those include:
- and also women of childbearing age
- and pregnant women
- and that poor diet people
- Tell friends that those who donate blood again and again
- and also infants and toddlers, especially those born prematurely and either experiencing this growth spurt
- Please tell that these vegetarians who do not replace meat with other iron rich food
- And tell that those teenagers who need more iron only in the period of rapid growth
- adults over 65 years of age
- people coming into contact with the lead in their environment and either this water itself
- Note that high performance as well as endurance athletes like marathon runners
If you are at risk of iron deficiency anemia, talk to your doctor to determine whether blood tests or dietary changes may be of benefit to you.
Why’s iron deficiency a anemia more commons in women?
Pregnancy, let me tell you that this very important menstrual bleeding, endometriosis as well as uterine fibroids are all reasons why women are more likely to experience iron deficiency anemia as well.
Let me tell you that this is when heavy menstrual bleeding occurs and in addition to this, when a woman has this bleeding for a lot or longer than normal during menstruation. And at the same time, according to a reliable source from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), normal menstrual bleeding lasts 4 to 5 days, and your blood volume is up to 2 to 3 tablespoons. .
Let us tell you that in women with excessive menstrual bleeding, you usually bleed for more than 7 days and lose twice as much blood as normal.
It may be noted that a pelvic ultrasound can help a doctor find a source of additional bleeding, such as fibroids, during the same period or during the same period. Like iron deficiency anemia, uterine fibroids often do not cause symptoms. And at the same time they happen when a muscular tumor grows in the uterus.
Friends, although they are usually not cancerous, and in addition to this, fibroids can also become a major cause of heavy menstrual bleeding, which can lead to iron deficiency anemia.
How is iron deficiency anemia diagnosed?
Friends, tell that a doctor can diagnose anemia with a blood test. And with this he also includes:
For example, a complete blood count (CBC) test A complete blood count (CBC) is usually the first test that this doctor will use. In addition, a CBC measures the amount of cellular and either of your cell-related components in the blood, and one that includes:
- such as your red blood cells (RBCs)
- and your white blood cells (WBC)
- Your hemoglobin
- and hematocrit
- and that platelets
Let us tell you that a CBC only provides this information about your blood and that which is helpful in diagnosing iron deficiency anemia only. And in addition this information includes:
- and also that hematocrit level, and which is the percentage of the volume of blood made up of RBCs
- and the hemoglobin level
- This is the size of your own RBC
As you have iron deficiency anemia, this hematocrit as well as the level of hemoglobin in it is also very low. In addition, RBCs are usually much smaller than normal in size.
Note that a CBC test is often done as part of a routine physical exam. And at the same time, it is a good indicator of a person’s overall health. And with this it can also be done regularly before surgery. And at the same time, this test is useful only to diagnose this type of anemia and with it, because people who have iron deficiency and friends, they do not realize it.
Other tests
Let us tell you that anemia can usually be confirmed with a CBC test. In addition, your doctor may order additional blood tests to determine how severe your anemia is and to help determine treatment. And they can even examine your blood under a microscope. These blood tests will provide information, and friends that include:
- For example, the level of iron in your blood, the size and color of your RBCs (if they are deficient in iron and even then this RBC turns yellow)
- And that’s your ferritin level
your total iron-binding capacity (TIBC)
Ferritin is a protein and one that helps with the storage of iron in your body. Also low levels of M ferritin indicate low iron storage. And that is, a TIBC test is used to show the amount of transferrin this iron is carrying. In addition, transferrin is a protein that transports iron itself.
Friends, this is some home test kit that can check the level of iron as well as the level of ferritin as well as that of TIBC. And that you can also buy a test kit online here through LetsGetChecked.
Test for internal bleeding
If your doctor is concerned that internal bleeding is causing your anemia, then additional tests may be needed. And with that, I think that’s a test to look for blood in your stool and what you can have is a stool occult test. And tell that blood in your stool can also give you a sign of bleeding in your intestine itself.
Your doctor may also do an endoscopy, in which they use a tiny camera on a flexible tube to look at the lining of your gastrointestinal tract. And friends, there are two types here:
- An EGD test: which is also called an upper GI endoscopy, and in addition, a doctor may examine the lining of the esophagus, stomach, as well as the upper part of the small intestine. That too he allows.
- A colonoscopy: also known as a lower GI endoscopy, also allows your doctor to examine the lining of the colon, as well as the lower part of the large intestine.
Let us tell you that these tests can also be of great help to you in identifying the sources of gastrointestinal bleeding.
What are the health complications of iron deficiency anemia?
It should be noted that most cases of iron deficiency anemia are mild and at the same time do not cause them. And its that condition is usually that easily rectified. And friends, however, if anemia or iron deficiency is not treated, it can lead to other health problems. And that includes:
For example, you have a fast or irregular heartbeat when you are anemic, and your heart has to pump a lot of blood just to supply the low amount of oxygen. And friends, it can cause irregular heartbeat. And in severe cases, it can even lead to heart failure and even an enlarged heart.
Pregnancy complications
Let us tell you that in severe cases of iron deficiency, it can happen that your baby is born prematurely or with low birth weight. Most pregnant women take iron supplements as part of their prenatal care to prevent them from occurring.
Be aware that your babies as well as your children may have delayed development.
And that is only in babies and children who have a severe deficiency of that iron, and friends, their growth and development can be delayed. And with this, the risk of infection can also be very high.
How is iron deficiency anemia treated?
Friends, let me tell you how your iron deficiency anemia is treated, and with this, it will depend on how serious this problem is and what is the reason for it in the first place. In most of the forms of this condition, it is the lack of iron in your diet itself, and that or that you absorb all the iron that you consume, you also include all those problems of your body. There are. And along with this, some options have been given below for the treatment itself.
Iron supplements
Friends, let us tell you that just like iron pills, they can help you a lot in restoring the level of iron in your body itself. And with this, if possible, you should take iron tablets that or you should empty stomach, so that the body can better absorb them. And with that I say that if they upset your stomach, and only then you can take them with food. You may only need to take that supplement for several months. And this iron supplement can lead to constipation and either you have black stools.
Diet
Explain that a diet that includes the following foods may also help treat or prevent iron deficiency:
Red meat
- such as your dark green, leafy vegetables
- and these dry fruits
- and crazy
- and iron fortified cereals
Friends, apart from this, vitamin C can also help you a lot in absorbing iron in your body. If you are taking iron pills, and in addition to this, the doctor may suggest taking a tablet with a source of vitamin C, and friends, like this one in a glass of orange juice or citrus fruits.
Let it be said that you may also need to consider the things that you eat or drink and those that can lower your iron level and either you are getting that iron. can reduce the absorption of alcohol, and that such as black tea.
That’s treat the underlying causes of your bleeding And friends, if excessive bleeding causes deficiency and then only iron supplements will not help you that much. And with this, a doctor can prescribe birth control pills to those women as well as those who have heavy menstruation. It can also reduce the amount of menstrual bleeding each month.
Friends, if your that bleeding is due to injury, tear and either it is due to some other kind of internal problem, and only then it may also require surgery to stop this bleeding.
It should be noted that in the most severe cases, a red blood cell transfusion and either this intravenous iron can replace iron and blood loss too quickly.
How to prevent iron deficiency anemia
It should be noted that when iron-deficiency anemia due to insufficient iron intake can only be prevented with a diet rich in iron-rich foods and vitamin C. Along with this, mothers should feed their babies breast milk and either you or your baby formula rich in iron.
Take away
Let us tell you that iron deficiency anemia is the most common type of anemia. And that’s when you don’t have enough iron in your body and that’s the same time of the possible causes the include the not eating enough iron-rich foods, blood loss due to menstruation, as well as this inability to absorb iron as well.
Tell friends that if you suspect that you have iron deficiency, and at the same time, you should see a doctor. And with this they can diagnose anemia with a blood test.
Please tell that this is the diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia and do not try to treat it myself. And friends, you can end up with too much iron in your blood and that can cause other health conditions including constipation and even liver damage.
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