The red blood cells are responsible for carrying oxygen to the different tissues of our body.As the name suggests, iron deficiency anemia is due to the lack of enough iron in the blood. Because of this, people with iron deficiency anemia often have difficulty breathing and get tired quickly.
This disease can be treated by taking iron supplements. Sometimes, it is necessary to go through additional examination or treatment for the person who has iron deficiency, especially if the doctor suspects that the patient has bleeding inside the body.
Symptoms In the beginning, iron deficiency anemia may go unnoticed due to its mild symptoms. But over time as the blood becomes deficient in iron and the anemia worsens, the signs and symptoms will become severe. Some of the signs and symptoms of iron deficiency anemia are as follows: 1. Extreme fatigue 2. Weakness 3. Pallor 4. Chest pain, rapid heartbeat or difficulty breathing 5. Headache, dizziness 6. Cold hands and feet 7. Swelling of the tongue 8. Brittle nails 9. Unusual cravings for inappropriate foods such as ice, dirt or starchy foods 10. Lack of appetite, especially in children and babies with iron deficiency anemia
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When to consult a doctor When you or your child shows the above signs or symptoms, consult a doctor immediately. Iron deficiency anemia is not easily diagnosed or treated by simply taking supplements. A doctor must be consulted for a proper diagnosis. Improper intake of iron supplements can cause adverse effects on the body because too much iron damages the liver and causes other complications.
Causes Iron deficiency anemia occurs when the body does not have an adequate supply of iron to make hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is the part of red blood cells that gives red color to our blood and gives red blood cells the ability to carry oxygen throughout the body. If iron-rich food is not consumed enough, or there is excessive bleeding, the body will lose the ability to produce hemoglobin, and it is not far to develop iron deficiency anemia.
Causes of iron deficiency anemia :
1. Loss of blood - The red blood cells in our blood contain iron. That means, with every bleeding, there is iron lost from the body. Women are at high risk of developing iron deficiency anemia due to blood loss during the monthly menstrual period. Long-term blood loss caused by conditions such as peptic ulcer, hiatal hernia, colon polyp or colorectal cancer, causes iron deficiency anemia. Gastrointestinal bleeding results from frequent intake of pain relievers, especially aspirin.
2. Lack of iron in the diet - The body naturally obtains iron from foods. If you don't eat iron-rich foods, you are more likely to become iron-deficient. Meat, eggs, green and leafy vegetables and iron-fortified foods are examples of iron-rich foods. Children and infants need iron in food for their proper growth.
3. Inability to absorb iron - Iron from foods flows into the blood and is absorbed in the small intestine, so diseases that involve this part of the intestine, such as celiac disease, affects iron absorption and can lead to iron-deficiency anemia. If you have had surgery and the small intestine is reduced, this may affect your absorption of iron and other nutrients.
4. Pregnancy - A pregnant woman can become deficient in iron if she does not take iron supplements. She has a high need for iron for her own needs and for the hemoglobin supply of the child in her womb. If he does not take iron supplements, he may develop iron deficiency anemia.
Risk factors:
1. Women - Because women naturally lose blood due to the monthly menstrual period, they are at greater risk of developing iron deficiency anemia.
2. Infants and children - Babies who are born with low weight, born prematurely, or who are not fed breast milk or formula, are at risk of iron deficiency. Children need iron for proper growth, so there is a risk of them getting anemia if the food they eat is not nutritious.
3. Vegetarians - People who avoid eating meat have a high chance of developing iron deficiency anemia, if they don't eat other iron-rich foods. 4. Frequent blood donation- Frequent blood donation greatly reduces the body's iron supply. Low hemoglobin resulting from donating blood can be corrected by eating iron-rich foods. If a low hemoglobin level is found and it is forbidden to donate blood, consult a doctor to find out what needs to be done.
Complications Mild cases of iron deficiency anemia do not have many complications, but if it goes untreated for a long time, it can lead to a serious health condition, such as the following:
1. Heart problem - Prolonged iron deficiency anemia can cause rapid heartbeat or irregular heartbeat. The heart has to pump more blood to catch up with the lack of oxygen in the body of the anemic. This results in the growth of the heart (enlarged heart) or heart failure.
2. Pregnancy problem - Severe cases of iron deficiency anemia are associated with cases of low birth weight babies or premature births. This can be avoided by taking iron supplements by pregnant women as part of their prenatal care. 3. Growth problems - Severe iron deficiency anemia can cause delayed growth and development in infants and children. This is also a reason for the high rate of infections in children.
Prevention: How to avoid being anemic?
1. Iron deficiency anemia can be prevented by choosing iron-rich foods. Examples of these are as follows: a. Meat from beef, pork or chicken b. seafood c. Beans d. Green vegetables such as spinach e. Dried fruits such as raisins f. Iron-fortified cereals, bread and pasta Mr. Peas (peas
Meat is the best source of iron that the body can use. If you don't eat meat, you need to increase your intake of other iron-rich, plant-based foods to compensate for the amount of iron that can be obtained from eating meat.
2. Choose foods rich in Vitamin C that help absorb iron
Iron absorption can be improved by drinking citrus juice or consuming foods rich in Vitamin C, along with eating iron-rich foods. Citrus juices such as orange juice help the body to absorb dietary iron properly and well. Vitamin C can be found in the following foods
1. Broccoli
2. Grapefruit
3. Kiwi
4. Leafy greens – leafy vegetables
5. Melon
6. Orange
7. Bell peppers
8. Strawberries
9. Tangerines
10. Tomatoes
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