What are the main causes of iron deficiency anemia. How can you recognize the symptoms of this condition. Who is at higher risk of developing iron deficiency anemia. What complications can arise if left untreated.

Understanding Iron Deficiency Anemia: A Common Blood Disorder

Iron deficiency anemia is a prevalent type of anemia characterized by a lack of healthy red blood cells in the blood. These cells are crucial for transporting oxygen throughout the body. When the body doesn’t have enough iron to produce hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells responsible for carrying oxygen, iron deficiency anemia can develop.

This condition can range from mild to severe, with symptoms intensifying as the iron deficiency worsens. While it’s often treatable with iron supplementation, understanding its causes, symptoms, and risk factors is essential for early detection and proper management.

Key Causes of Iron Deficiency Anemia

Several factors can contribute to the development of iron deficiency anemia:

• Blood loss
• Inadequate iron intake
• Impaired iron absorption
• Pregnancy

Blood Loss: A Major Culprit

Blood loss is a significant cause of iron deficiency anemia. Since blood contains iron within red blood cells, losing blood means losing iron. This can occur due to various reasons:

• Heavy menstrual periods in women
• Chronic internal bleeding (e.g., from peptic ulcers, hiatal hernias, colon polyps, or colorectal cancer)
• Gastrointestinal bleeding from regular use of certain pain relievers, particularly aspirin

Dietary Iron Deficiency

A lack of iron in the diet can lead to iron deficiency over time. The body relies on regular iron intake from food sources to maintain adequate levels. Iron-rich foods include:

• Meat
• Eggs
• Leafy green vegetables
• Iron-fortified foods

Is a vegetarian diet more likely to cause iron deficiency anemia? While vegetarians can obtain iron from plant-based sources, they may need to pay extra attention to their iron intake to ensure they meet their body’s requirements.

Impaired Iron Absorption

Sometimes, the body may struggle to absorb iron effectively, even when it’s present in the diet. This can occur due to:

• Intestinal disorders like celiac disease
• Surgical removal or bypass of part of the small intestine

Pregnancy and Iron Deficiency

Pregnant women are at increased risk of iron deficiency anemia. Why does pregnancy increase the risk of iron deficiency anemia? During pregnancy, a woman’s iron stores need to support her increased blood volume as well as provide hemoglobin for the growing fetus. Without proper iron supplementation, iron deficiency anemia can develop.

Recognizing the Symptoms of Iron Deficiency Anemia

Iron deficiency anemia can present with various symptoms, which may intensify as the condition worsens. Common signs and symptoms include:

• Extreme fatigue and weakness
• Pale skin
• Chest pain, rapid heartbeat, or shortness of breath
• Headaches, dizziness, or lightheadedness
• Cold hands and feet
• Inflammation or soreness of the tongue
• Brittle nails
• Unusual cravings for non-nutritive substances (pica)
• Poor appetite, especially in infants and children

How can you differentiate between normal tiredness and fatigue caused by iron deficiency anemia? While occasional tiredness is normal, persistent fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest, especially when accompanied by other symptoms like pale skin or shortness of breath, may indicate iron deficiency anemia.

Identifying High-Risk Groups for Iron Deficiency Anemia

Certain groups of people have a higher risk of developing iron deficiency anemia:

Women

Women, particularly those with heavy menstrual periods, are at greater risk due to regular blood loss during menstruation.

Infants and Children

Infants, especially those born prematurely or with low birth weight, may be at risk if they don’t get enough iron from breast milk or formula. Children also need extra iron during growth spurts.

Vegetarians

People following a vegetarian diet may have a higher risk if they don’t consume enough iron-rich plant-based foods or iron-fortified products.

Frequent Blood Donors

Regular blood donation can deplete iron stores, potentially leading to iron deficiency anemia.

Complications of Untreated Iron Deficiency Anemia

While mild iron deficiency anemia may not cause significant complications, if left untreated, it can lead to more serious health issues:

• Heart problems: The heart must work harder to pump oxygen-rich blood throughout the body, potentially leading to an irregular heartbeat, enlarged heart, or heart failure.
• Pregnancy complications: In pregnant women, severe iron deficiency anemia can increase the risk of premature birth and low birth weight.
• Growth and development issues: In infants and children, iron deficiency anemia can lead to delayed growth and development, and potentially long-lasting behavioral and cognitive delays.

Can iron deficiency anemia affect mental health? Yes, iron deficiency anemia can impact mental health, potentially causing symptoms like fatigue, irritability, and difficulty concentrating, which can affect overall well-being and quality of life.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Iron Deficiency Anemia

Diagnosing iron deficiency anemia typically involves blood tests to measure hemoglobin levels and other indicators of iron status. Treatment usually focuses on addressing the underlying cause and replenishing iron stores:

• Iron supplements: Oral iron supplements are often the first line of treatment.
• Dietary changes: Increasing intake of iron-rich foods can help maintain iron levels.
• Treating underlying conditions: Addressing any underlying causes of blood loss or malabsorption is crucial.
• Iron infusions: In severe cases or when oral supplements aren’t effective, intravenous iron may be necessary.

How long does it take to recover from iron deficiency anemia? Recovery time can vary depending on the severity of the anemia and the individual’s response to treatment. With proper treatment, many people start feeling better within a few weeks, but it may take several months to fully replenish iron stores.

Preventing Iron Deficiency Anemia

Prevention is key in managing iron deficiency anemia. Here are some strategies to help maintain healthy iron levels:

• Eat a balanced diet rich in iron-containing foods
• Consider iron supplements if you’re at high risk
• Treat underlying conditions that may cause chronic blood loss
• Get regular check-ups, especially if you’re in a high-risk group

What foods can help boost iron absorption? Consuming vitamin C-rich foods alongside iron-rich foods can enhance iron absorption. For example, eating citrus fruits with iron-fortified cereals or adding bell peppers to a spinach salad can improve iron uptake.

When to Seek Medical Attention

It’s important to consult a healthcare provider if you suspect you might have iron deficiency anemia. Self-diagnosis and treatment can be dangerous, as excess iron accumulation can damage the liver and cause other complications.

Seek medical attention if you experience:

• Persistent fatigue or weakness
• Shortness of breath or chest pain
• Unexplained paleness
• Frequent headaches or dizziness

Can iron deficiency anemia be mistaken for other conditions? Yes, the symptoms of iron deficiency anemia can be similar to those of other health conditions. This is why it’s crucial to get a proper diagnosis from a healthcare professional rather than attempting to self-diagnose or treat the condition.

Understanding iron deficiency anemia, its causes, symptoms, and risk factors is crucial for early detection and proper management. By recognizing the signs and taking preventive measures, individuals can maintain healthy iron levels and avoid the potential complications associated with this common blood disorder. Remember, if you suspect you might have iron deficiency anemia, it’s always best to consult with a healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Iron deficiency anemia – Symptoms & causes

Overview

Iron deficiency anemia is a common type of anemia — a condition in which blood lacks adequate healthy red blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen to the body’s tissues.

As the name implies, iron deficiency anemia is due to insufficient iron. Without enough iron, your body can’t produce enough of a substance in red blood cells that enables them to carry oxygen (hemoglobin). As a result, iron deficiency anemia may leave you tired and short of breath.

You can usually correct iron deficiency anemia with iron supplementation. Sometimes additional tests or treatments for iron deficiency anemia are necessary, especially if your doctor suspects that you’re bleeding internally.

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Symptoms

Initially, iron deficiency anemia can be so mild that it goes unnoticed. But as the body becomes more deficient in iron and anemia worsens, the signs and symptoms intensify.

Iron deficiency anemia signs and symptoms may include:

• Extreme fatigue
• Weakness
• Pale skin
• Chest pain, fast heartbeat or shortness of breath
• Headache, dizziness or lightheadedness
• Cold hands and feet
• Inflammation or soreness of your tongue
• Brittle nails
• Unusual cravings for non-nutritive substances, such as ice, dirt or starch
• Poor appetite, especially in infants and children with iron deficiency anemia

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When to see a doctor

If you or your child develops signs and symptoms that suggest iron deficiency anemia, see your doctor. Iron deficiency anemia isn’t something to self-diagnose or treat. So see your doctor for a diagnosis rather than taking iron supplements on your own. Overloading the body with iron can be dangerous because excess iron accumulation can damage your liver and cause other complications.

Causes

Iron deficiency anemia occurs when your body doesn’t have enough iron to produce hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is the part of red blood cells that gives blood its red color and enables the red blood cells to carry oxygenated blood throughout your body.

If you aren’t consuming enough iron, or if you’re losing too much iron, your body can’t produce enough hemoglobin, and iron deficiency anemia will eventually develop.

Causes of iron deficiency anemia include:

• Blood loss. Blood contains iron within red blood cells. So if you lose blood, you lose some iron. Women with heavy periods are at risk of iron deficiency anemia because they lose blood during menstruation. Slow, chronic blood loss within the body — such as from a peptic ulcer, a hiatal hernia, a colon polyp or colorectal cancer — can cause iron deficiency anemia. Gastrointestinal bleeding can result from regular use of some over-the-counter pain relievers, especially aspirin.
• A lack of iron in your diet. Your body regularly gets iron from the foods you eat. If you consume too little iron, over time your body can become iron deficient. Examples of iron-rich foods include meat, eggs, leafy green vegetables and iron-fortified foods. For proper growth and development, infants and children need iron from their diets, too.
• An inability to absorb iron. Iron from food is absorbed into your bloodstream in your small intestine. An intestinal disorder, such as celiac disease, which affects your intestine’s ability to absorb nutrients from digested food, can lead to iron deficiency anemia. If part of your small intestine has been bypassed or removed surgically, that may affect your ability to absorb iron and other nutrients.
• Pregnancy. Without iron supplementation, iron deficiency anemia occurs in many pregnant women because their iron stores need to serve their own increased blood volume as well as be a source of hemoglobin for the growing fetus.

Risk factors

These groups of people may have an increased risk of iron deficiency anemia:

• Women. Because women lose blood during menstruation, women in general are at greater risk of iron deficiency anemia.
• Infants and children. Infants, especially those who were low birth weight or born prematurely, who don’t get enough iron from breast milk or formula may be at risk of iron deficiency. Children need extra iron during growth spurts. If your child isn’t eating a healthy, varied diet, he or she may be at risk of anemia.
• Vegetarians. People who don’t eat meat may have a greater risk of iron deficiency anemia if they don’t eat other iron-rich foods.
• Frequent blood donors. People who routinely donate blood may have an increased risk of iron deficiency anemia since blood donation can deplete iron stores. Low hemoglobin related to blood donation may be a temporary problem remedied by eating more iron-rich foods. If you’re told that you can’t donate blood because of low hemoglobin, ask your doctor whether you should be concerned.

Complications

Mild iron deficiency anemia usually doesn’t cause complications. However, left untreated, iron deficiency anemia can become severe and lead to health problems, including the following:

• Heart problems. Iron deficiency anemia may lead to a rapid or irregular heartbeat. Your heart must pump more blood to compensate for the lack of oxygen carried in your blood when you’re anemic. This can lead to an enlarged heart or heart failure.
• Problems during pregnancy. In pregnant women, severe iron deficiency anemia has been linked to premature births and low birth weight babies. But the condition is preventable in pregnant women who receive iron supplements as part of their prenatal care.
• Growth problems. In infants and children, severe iron deficiency can lead to anemia as well as delayed growth and development. Additionally, iron deficiency anemia is associated with an increased susceptibility to infections.

Prevention

You can reduce your risk of iron deficiency anemia by choosing iron-rich foods.

Choose iron-rich foods

Foods rich in iron include:

• Red meat, pork and poultry
• Seafood
• Beans
• Dark green leafy vegetables, such as spinach
• Dried fruit, such as raisins and apricots
• Iron-fortified cereals, breads and pastas
• Peas

Your body absorbs more iron from meat than it does from other sources. If you choose to not eat meat, you may need to increase your intake of iron-rich, plant-based foods to absorb the same amount of iron as does someone who eats meat.

Choose foods containing vitamin C to enhance iron absorption

You can enhance your body’s absorption of iron by drinking citrus juice or eating other foods rich in vitamin C at the same time that you eat high-iron foods. Vitamin C in citrus juices, like orange juice, helps your body to better absorb dietary iron.

Vitamin C is also found in:

• Broccoli
• Grapefruit
• Kiwi
• Leafy greens
• Melons
• Oranges
• Peppers
• Strawberries
• Tangerines
• Tomatoes

Preventing iron deficiency anemia in infants

To prevent iron deficiency anemia in infants, feed your baby breast milk or iron-fortified formula for the first year. Cow’s milk isn’t a good source of iron for babies and isn’t recommended for infants under 1 year. After age 6 months, start feeding your baby iron-fortified cereals or pureed meats at least twice a day to boost iron intake. After one year, be sure children don’t drink more than 20 ounces (591 milliliters) of milk a day. Too much milk often takes the place of other foods, including those that are rich in iron.

Vitamin deficiency anemia – Symptoms & causes

Overview

Vitamin deficiency anemia is a lack of healthy red blood cells caused by lower than usual amounts of vitamin B-12 and folate.

This can happen if you don’t eat enough foods containing vitamin B-12 and folate, or if your body has trouble absorbing or processing these vitamins.

Without these nutrients, the body produces red blood cells that are too large and don’t work properly. This reduces their ability to carry oxygen.

Symptoms can include fatigue, shortness of breath and dizziness. Vitamin supplements, taken by pill or injection, can correct the deficiencies.

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Symptoms

Vitamin deficiency anemia usually develops slowly over several months to years. Signs and symptoms may be subtle at first but usually increase as the deficiency worsens. These may include:

• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness
• Pale or yellowish skin
• Irregular heartbeats
• Weight loss
• Numbness or tingling in the hands and feet
• Muscle weakness
• Personality changes
• Unsteady movements
• Mental confusion or forgetfulness

Causes

Vitamin deficiency anemia can occur if you don’t eat enough foods containing vitamin B-12 and folate, or if your body has trouble absorbing or processing these vitamins.

Vitamin B-12 deficiencies

Low levels of vitamin B-12 can be caused by:

• Diet. Vitamin B-12 is mainly found in meat, eggs and milk, so people who don’t eat these types of foods may need to take B-12 supplements. Some foods have been fortified with B-12, including some breakfast cereals and some nutritional yeast products.
• Pernicious anemia. This condition occurs when the body’s immune system attacks cells in the stomach that produce a substance called intrinsic factor. Without this substance, B-12 can’t be absorbed in the intestines.
• Gastric surgeries. If portions of your stomach or intestines have been surgically removed, that can reduce the amount of intrinsic factor produced and the amount of space available for vitamin B-12 to be absorbed.
• Intestinal problems. Crohn’s disease and celiac disease can interfere with absorption of vitamin B-12, as can tapeworms that may be ingested from eating contaminated fish.

Folate deficiencies

Also known as vitamin B-9, folate is a nutrient found mainly in dark green leafy vegetables and liver. A folate deficiency can occur when people don’t eat foods containing folate or their bodies are unable to absorb folate from food.

Absorption problems may be caused by:

• Intestinal diseases such as celiac disease
• Surgical removal or bypass of a large part of the intestines
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Prescription drugs, such as some anti-seizure medications

Pregnant women and women who are breastfeeding have an increased demand for folate, as do people undergoing dialysis for kidney disease.

A lack of folate can cause birth defects during pregnancy. However, folate deficiency is less common now in countries that routinely add folate to food products such as breads, cereals and pasta.

Complications

Being deficient in vitamin B-12 or folate increases your risk of many health problems, including:

• Pregnancy complications. A developing fetus that doesn’t get enough folate from its mother can develop birth defects of the brain and spinal cord.
• Nervous system disorders. Untreated, vitamin B-12 deficiency can lead to neurological problems, such as persistent tingling in the hands and feet or problems with balance. It can lead to mental confusion and forgetfulness because vitamin B-12 is necessary for healthy brain function.
• Gastric cancer. Pernicious anemia increases the risk of stomach or intestinal cancers.

Prevention

You can prevent some forms of vitamin deficiency anemia by choosing a healthy diet that includes a variety of foods.

Foods rich in vitamin B-12 include:

• Beef, liver, chicken and fish
• Eggs
• Fortified foods, such as breakfast cereals
• Milk, cheese and yogurt

Foods rich in folate include:

• Broccoli, spinach, asparagus and lima beans
• Oranges, lemons, bananas, strawberries and melons
• Enriched grain products, such as bread, cereal, pasta and rice
• Liver, kidneys, yeast, mushrooms and peanuts

Most adults need these daily dietary amounts of the following vitamins:

• Vitamin B-12 — 2. 4 micrograms (mcg)
• Folate or folic acid — 400 microgram (mcg)

Pregnant and breastfeeding women may require more of each vitamin.

Most people get enough vitamins from the foods they eat. But if your diet is restricted or you’ve had gastric bypass surgery, you may wish to take a multivitamin.

Anemia – symptoms, treatment, diagnosis

Anemia – symptoms, treatment, diagnosis

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Anemia is a condition in which there is a decrease in the content of red blood cells and hemoglobin protein in the blood, which deliver oxygen to the organs. Patients most often experience weakness, fatigue, often freeze. There are several types of anemia. The most common is the iron deficiency form.

Every year, anemia of varying degrees is diagnosed in two billion people. It is more common in developing countries, but also affects people in industrialized countries.

Forms

There are several forms of anemia, each of which causes a decrease in the amount of red blood cells in the body in the bloodstream. The level drops for one of the following reasons:

• Reduced hemoglobin production
• Synthesis of deformed hemoglobin unable to transport oxygen
• Reduced red cell synthesis
• Premature destruction of erythrocytes in the body

Symptoms

Fatigue, shallow short breathing, a feeling of coldness in the legs and hands are characteristic signs. The following symptoms occur:

• Dizziness, weakness
• Headaches
• Pale, dry skin, bruising
• Restless legs syndrome – discomfort in the lower leg, unintentional motor activity of the lower extremities more often during sleep
• Cold hands and feet
• Palpitations
• Shortness of breath

Causes

Each form has its own reason:

• Iron deficiency anemia. It develops against the background of a lack of iron in the body. It is required for the production of hemoglobin in the bone marrow. Iron deficiency anemia is caused by blood loss, such as during heavy menstruation, stomach or small intestine ulcers, colon cancer; with regular use of painkillers, an inflammatory lesion of the gastric mucosa with bleeding can occur. It is important to determine the source of blood loss in order to prevent recurrence.
• Vitamin deficiency anemia. Sufficient amounts of vitamin B-12 and folic acid are required for synthesis. A diet low in key nutrients and vitamins leads to anemia.
• Anemia of chronic inflammation. HIV/AIDS, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic kidney disease, Crohn’s disease and a number of other chronic diseases interfere with red blood cell synthesis.
• Anemia associated with diseases of the bone marrow. Leukemia, myelofibrosis can disrupt the construction of red blood cells.
• Hemolytic anemia. Associated with premature destruction and inappropriate disposal with the formation of new red cells.
• Sickle cell anemia. Hereditary pathology, characterized by defective red cells that are not able to tolerate hemoglobin and are destroyed prematurely.

Diagnostics

If anemia is suspected, the attending physician – the therapist prescribes a blood test. The main laboratory test is a complete blood count, which shows the content of red blood cells, their shape, size, and hemoglobin level. The purpose of additional tests depends on the type of suspected anemia:

• Vitamin B test for suspected vitamin deficiency anemia
• Urinalysis for suspected hemolytic anemia
• Colonoscopy, esophagogastroduodenoscopy for suspected gastrointestinal bleeding
• Puncture with bone marrow biopsy in rare cases with suspected leukemia, myelofibrosis.

Treatment at the Federal Scientific and Practical Center

Therapy depends on the cause of the anemia. Iron deficiency anemia is treated with:

• Prescription of iron tablets
• Intravenous administration of iron preparations
• Surgery with blood transfusion for established internal bleeding

Hereditary diseases (sickle cell anemia) in some cases require bone marrow transplantation. Attention is paid to anemia, which is a symptom of oncological pathology and can be aggravated after chemotherapy. Between chemotherapy sessions, blood counts are always monitored, if necessary, drugs are prescribed for correction in order to carry out a further course of treatment.

An important recommendation is to enrich the diet with foods high in iron and vitamin C, which improves iron absorption.

At the first suspicion of this disease, you should consult a general practitioner. He will prescribe a diagnosis, based on the results of which he will draw up a treatment plan. Physicians – therapists of the Federal Scientific and Practical Center have extensive experience in diagnosing and treating diseases. An integrated approach to patient management and modern methods of treatment are the key to a quick recovery.

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Anemia – health articles

Anemia is a pathological condition of the body, which is characterized by a decrease in the number of red blood cells and hemoglobin in a blood unit. Anemia is often a symptom of a disease. This condition affects people of all ages and genders.

Anemia is defined as a decrease in hemoglobin below 110 g / l – in children 6 months – 6 years old, below 120 g / l – in children 6-14 years old, below 120 – in adult women, below 130 – in adult men.

Causes of the disease

One of the most common causes of anemia is considered to be a lack of folic acid, iron or vitamin B12. Also, anemia develops due to heavy bleeding during menstruation or against the background of certain oncological diseases. Often, anemia is manifested due to the insufficiency of substances that are responsible for the production of hemoglobin, as well as failures in the formation of red blood cells. Hereditary diseases and exposure to toxic substances can also cause anemia.

Depending on the causes of the disease, it is customary to divide all anemias into three types:

• posthemorrhagic,
• hemolytic,
• associated with impaired blood formation (deficient and hypoplastic).

Posthemorrhagic anemia associated with acute or chronic blood loss (bleeding, injury).

Hemolytic – develop due to increased destruction of red blood cells.

Deficiency anemia is caused by a lack of vitamins, iron or other trace elements that are essential for blood formation.

Hypoplastic anemia is the most severe type of anemia and is associated with impaired hematopoiesis in the bone marrow.

Symptoms

Anemia is manifested by dizziness, tinnitus, flies before the eyes, shortness of breath, palpitations. Dry skin, pallor are noted, ulcerations, cracks appear in the corners of the mouth.

Typical manifestations are fragility and layering of nails, their transverse striation. Nails become flat, sometimes take a concave spoon shape.

Some patients report a burning sensation of the tongue. Perhaps a perversion of taste in the form of an indomitable desire to eat chalk, toothpaste, ashes, and the like, as well as an addiction to certain smells (acetone, gasoline).

In the early stages, anemia may not have pronounced manifestations, in which case the diagnosis is made after special diagnostic measures.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis requires blood tests, including counts of blood cells. A family history of the disease should also be taken. When there are only slight manifestations of anemia, a radioactive chromium test can be performed, which allows you to determine the life expectancy of blood cells, which is shortened with the disease.

Other special tests may be needed to look for abnormalities in the red blood cell membrane, enzymes, or hemoglobin. Sometimes a bone marrow sample may be taken to look for causes that may cause hemolytic anemia.

Treatment

Mild anemia often does not require medical treatment. It is recommended to eat more foods that contain iron, proteins and other vitamins and minerals, to be outdoors more often.

Drug therapy is prescribed by a doctor only when the type of anemia, cause and severity are clear.