Anemia occurs when the level of hemoglobin in your red blood cells (RBCs) decreases.
Hemoglobin is a protein in your RBCs that is responsible for supplying oxygen to your tissues. Iron deficiency anemia is the most common form of anemia and occurs when your body doesn't have enough of the mineral iron.
Your body needs iron to make hemoglobin. When you don't have enough iron in your bloodstream, the rest of your body doesn't get enough oxygen.
Although this condition is common, many people are unaware that they have iron-deficiency anemia. Because it is possible to experience its symptoms for years without knowing it.
In women of childbearing age, the most common cause of iron deficiency anemia is anemia due to excessive menstruation or pregnancy. Iron deficiency anemia can also be caused by a poor diet or certain intestinal diseases that affect the body's ability to absorb iron. Doctors usually treat this condition with iron supplements or dietary changes.
Symptoms of iron deficiency anemia
Symptoms of iron deficiency anemia may be mild at first and you may not even be aware of it. According to the American Society of Hematology (ASH), most people do not know until they have regular blood tests.
Symptoms of moderate to severe iron deficiency anemia include:
general fatigue
weakness
pale skin
shortness of breath
Dizziness
a strange desire to eat something that is not dirty, icy, or dirty
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cramping or crawling feeling
Tongue swelling or pain
cold hands and feet
fast or irregular heartbeat
severe nails
Headache
Iron deficiency due to anemia
Insufficient amount of iron
Eating too little iron over a long period of time can lead to iron deficiency in your body. Foods such as meat, eggs, and some green leafy vegetables are high in iron. Because iron is needed during rapid growth and development, pregnant women and young children may need iron in their diet.
Pregnancy or anemia due to menstruation
The most common causes of iron deficiency anemia in women of childbearing age are excessive menstrual bleeding and bleeding during labor.
Internal bleeding
Certain medical conditions can cause internal bleeding, leading to iron deficiency anemia. Examples include stomach ulcers, colon or intestinal polyps, or colon cancer. Regular use of painkillers like aspirin can also lead to stomach bleeding.
Inability to absorb iron
Certain disorders or surgeries affecting the intestines can interfere with your body's ability to absorb iron. Even if you get enough iron in your diet, bowel surgery like celiac disease or gastric bypass can limit the amount of iron in your body.
To risk
Anemia is a common condition and can affect men and women of any age and any ethnic group. Some people may be at a higher risk of developing iron-deficiency anemia than others, including:
Women of childbearing age
pregnant woman
poor food people
who bleed frequently
Infants and young children, especially those born prematurely or experiencing developmental play
Vegetarians who do not consume iron-rich foods other than meat
If you're at risk for iron deficiency anemia, talk to your doctor to find out whether blood tests or dietary changes may be helpful.
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How is it diagnosed?
whole blood cell (CBC) test
A complete blood count (CBC) is usually the first test a doctor uses. The CBC measures the levels of all components in the blood, including:
Red blood cell (RBC)
White blood cells (WBC)
Hemoglobin
Hematocrit
Platelets
The CBC provides information about your blood that helps diagnose iron-deficiency anemia. This information includes:
Hematocrit level, which is the percentage of blood produced by RBCs
Hemoglobin level
The size of your RBCs
The normal hematocrit is 34.9 to 44.5 percent for adult women and 38.8 to 50 percent for adult men. Normal hemoglobin is 12.0 to 15.5 g/dL for an adult female and 13.5 to 17.5 g/dL for an adult male.
Iron deficiency anemia results in low hematocrit and hemoglobin levels. In addition, RBCs are usually smaller in size than normal.
The CBC exam is often taken as part of a routine physical exam. It is a good indicator of a person's overall health. This can be done regularly before surgery. This test is useful for diagnosing this type of anemia because people with iron deficiency do not understand it.
Other tests
Anemia can usually be confirmed by a CBC test. Your doctor may order additional blood tests to help determine the severity and treatment of your anemia. They may examine your blood under a microscope. These blood tests include the following.
Iron level in your blood
Size and color of your RBCs (RBCs turn yellow due to lack of iron)
Your ferritin level
Your Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC)
Ferritin is a protein that assists your body with putting away iron. Low levels of ferritin indicate low iron storage. The TIBC test is used to determine the amount of iron-bearing transferrin. Transferrin is a protein that contains iron.
Test for internal bleeding
If your doctor is concerned that you may be suffering from anemia due to internal bleeding, additional tests may be needed. One of the tests you need to do to detect blood in your stool is the stool magic test. Blood in your stool can indicate bleeding in your intestines.
Your doctor may also perform an endoscopy, where they use a small camera on a flexible tube to view the lining of your gastrointestinal tract. The EGD test, or upper endoscopy, allows doctors to examine the lining of the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine. Colonoscopy, or lower endoscopy, allows doctors to examine the lining of the colon, which is the lower part of the large intestine. These tests can help identify the source of gastrointestinal bleeding.
Test for menstrual bleeding
Women are more likely to become anemic because of iron deficiency due to pregnancy, significant menstrual bleeding and uterine fibroids.
Excessive menstrual bleeding occurs when a woman bleeds for longer or longer than a woman normally does. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, normal menstrual bleeding lasts 4 to 5 days and the amount of blood is 2 to 3 tablespoons. Women with excessive bleeding usually have bleeding for more than seven days and twice as much as normal.
According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, about 20 percent of women have anemia during childbirth. Pregnant women are more likely to suffer from iron deficiency anemia as they need more blood to support their growing babies.
An abdominal ultrasound can help doctors determine the source of excessive bleeding during a woman's period, such as fibroids. Unlike iron-deficiency anemia, uterine fibroids usually do not show any symptoms. This occurs when a muscle tumor grows in the uterus. Although they are usually not cancerous, they can cause excessive bleeding during menstruation, leading to iron deficiency anemia.
Health complications of iron deficiency anemia
Iron deficiency anemia is mild and does not cause complications in most cases. It is usually easy to rectify the situation. However, if left untreated, anemia or iron deficiency can lead to other health problems. This includes:
Fast or irregular heartbeat
When you have anemia, your heart has to pump more blood to absorb less oxygen. It can cause irregular heartbeat. In serious cases, it can prompt cardiovascular breakdown or an amplified heart.
Pregnancy complications
In severe cases of iron deficiency, the baby may be premature or underweight. To keep this from occurring, most pregnant ladies accept iron enhancements as a component of their pre-birth care.
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Delayed development in newborns and children
Growth and developmental delays may occur in children and infants with severe iron deficiency. They may also be at higher risk of infection.
Treatment options
Iron supplement
Iron tablets can assist with reestablishing iron levels in your body. If possible, you should take iron tablets on an empty stomach so that the body can better absorb them. If they are bothering you, you can take them with you. You will need to take the supplement for several months. Iron supplements can cause constipation or black stools.
Diet
A diet consisting of the following foods may help treat or prevent iron deficiency:
Red meat
Dark green, spinach
Dry fruits
The wood
Iron safe cereals
In addition, vitamin C helps your body absorb iron. If you are taking iron pills, your doctor may recommend pills such as a glass of orange juice or citrus fruit as a source of vitamin C.
Treating the root cause of bleeding
If there is excessive bleeding, iron supplementation will not help. Doctors may prescribe birth control pills for people with heavy periods. It can reduce menstrual bleeding every month. In the most severe cases, blood transfusions can quickly replace iron and anemia.
Diagnosis
Iron deficiency anemia can be prevented by eating foods rich in iron and vitamin C. Mothers should give their baby breast milk or iron-fortified infant formula.
Iron-rich foods include:
Meat, such as mutton, pork, chicken, and beef
Pumpkin and Squash Seeds
spinach, such as spinach
Raisins and other dried fruits
eggs
Seafood, such as clams, sardines, prawns, and oysters
Iron-protected dry and instant cereals
Foods rich in vitamin C include:
Fruits such as oranges, grapes, strawberries, kiwi, guava, papaya, pineapple, watermelon, and mango
brock Olek
red and green capsicum
brussel sprout
Cauliflower
Tomato
spinach
