What is iron deficiency? What are the symptoms of iron deficiency?
Iron deficiency, which is the most common anemia type in the world, is an important health problem that occurs in 35% of women and 20% of men. This rate increases up to 50% in pregnant women.
What is iron deficiency?
Iron deficiency is a condition in which the iron needed in the body cannot be met for various reasons. Iron has very important tasks in the body. It contains hemoglobin iron which gives red cells to the blood cells called red blood cells, and red blood cells play an important role in transporting oxygen from the lungs to other tissues.
When the iron content in the blood is low, red blood cell production decreases and as a result, the amount of oxygen transported to cells, tissues and organs is reduced. Iron deficiency results in anemia called iron deficiency anemia. Iron also functions as a part of power plants in cells and enzymes and is of great importance to the body.
What causes iron deficiency?
Iron is a mineral that cannot be produced by the body and therefore should be taken in sufficient and regular amounts by diet. Iron deficiency is usually caused by increased need for iron in the body, incomplete iron intake or loss of iron from the body. The most important cause of iron deficiency is the insufficient consumption of iron-containing foods. In cases such as pregnancy and menstrual period, the iron requirement of the body increases.
Causes of iron deficiency in the body due to the increase in iron need;
Pregnancy
Breastfeeding period
Having frequent births
To be in the age of growth
Adolescence can be listed as follows.
Inadequate iron intake as a result of iron deficiency causes;
Inadequate and unbalanced nutrition
It is a vegetarian diet that does not consume meat, liver and other offal which is rich in iron.
Causes of deficiency as a result of iron loss from the body;
Severe menstrual bleeding
Excessive blood loss due to stomach ulcers, hemorrhoids, accidents
Increased loss of minerals and other trace elements such as iron with urine and sweat due to excessive exercise.
In addition to the reasons listed above, the following factors may cause iron deficiency:
Inadequate gastric acid secretion
Ulcers in the stomach or duodenum
Surgical removal of a part of the stomach or small intestine
Inadequate absorption of iron by the intestines due to diseases such as celiac
When caffeinated drinks such as tea, coffee, cola are consumed together with meals, it significantly inhibits iron absorption.
Hereditary iron deficiency
Use of drugs that disrupt absorption
Symptoms of iron deficiency
It is difficult to recognize iron deficiency at an early stage. The body can compensate for iron deficiency over a period of time and delay the onset of anemia symptoms. However, some early symptoms are also seen at this stage. Some of these early symptoms are;
Fragile hair and nails
Dry skin
Cracks in the corners of the mouth
Tongue burning
Sensitivity to oral mucosa
Once iron deficiency progresses and anemia develops, other signs and symptoms are added. The most common symptoms of iron deficiency are;
Weakness
Constant fatigue
Concentration problems
Indifference
Breathing out during physical activities
Dizziness and blackout
Headache
Depression
Sleep problems
Feeling more than normal
Hair loss
Skin color is pale
Inflatable tongue
Tinnitus
It can be listed as tingling or numbness in the hands and feet.
What does iron deficiency cause?
Iron deficiency anemia can lead to very serious health problems that are life-threatening if left untreated. Some of these health problems are;
Heart diseases (such as rapid heartbeat, heart failure, heart enlargement)
Problems in pregnancy (such as low birth weight, lack of normal weight of the baby, risk of premature birth, problems in mental development of the baby)
Immune system weakness and disease easier to catch
Development and mental retardation in infants and children
Restless leg syndrome
How is iron deficiency diagnosed?
Iron deficiency is usually detected for other purposes or during routine blood count. In the case of iron deficiency, the body first empties iron stores. When these reserves are completely exhausted, iron deficiency anemia occurs. For this reason, early tests of iron deficiency require blood tests to show the status of iron stores.
If you have complaints that suggest iron deficiency, you can contact a health care provider. Your doctor will question your life and nutritional habits, as well as conduct a detailed medical history review of pre-existing diseases and medicines. On the other hand, she asks young women about the frequency, duration and severity of menstruation. In the elderly, the digestive system, urine and genital organs to investigate whether bleeding. Knowing the cause of anemia is the key to successful treatment.
Precise information about iron balance is only possible with blood tests. The tests are made to diagnose by looking at various parameters such as hemoglobin, hematocrit, erythrocyte count, transferrin.
How to prevent iron deficiency?
It is possible to prevent the formation of iron deficiency with a number of changes in nutritional habits. For this;
Eating iron-rich foods
Combining these foods with foods that facilitate the absorption of iron (foods and beverages such as orange juice, lemonade, and sauerkraut that are rich in vitamin C facilitate absorption.)
Avoiding consuming foods and beverages that reduce iron absorption will help prevent iron deficiency.
What are iron-rich foods?
Consuming iron-rich foods will answer the question of what is good for iron deficiency. Pulses such as red meat, liver and other offal, chickpeas, lentils, black-eyed peas, kidney beans, peas, beans; Spinach, potatoes, prunes, seedless grapes, boiled soybeans, zucchini, oats, molasses, honey is rich in foods such as iron. These foods should also be consumed in large quantities to prevent iron deficiency.
Foods that inhibit iron absorption
Some foods or beverages can trigger iron deficiency by reducing iron absorption. Some of those;
Bran, whole grains
Oilseeds (eg soy, peanuts)
Coffee
Black tea
Protein obtained from soy and soy milk (casein)
Calcium salts (Available in various mineral waters.
If possible, these foods and beverages should not be consumed with iron-containing foods. Especially patients with anemia should avoid them if possible.
How is iron deficiency treated?
Treatment of iron deficiency anemia requires a combined approach. First of all, it is important to determine for what reason iron deficiency occurs; because treatment is planned for cause. Elimination of iron deficiency problems is the most important step in the treatment process.
If the deficiency is based on a very low intake of iron with food, the diet of the affected person is adjusted to receive a sufficient amount of iron. It is recommended that the person consume foods rich in iron such as red meat, liver and fish. It is also recommended that the patient avoid beverages that reduce iron absorption such as tea and coffee during meals.
If the change in diet is insufficient and anemia is present, the patient may need treatment with iron. However, the use of iron drugs outside the doctor's control is dangerous. Since excess iron is not excreted from the body, it can accumulate in organs such as pancreas, liver, heart and eyes and cause damage.
If you suspect that you have an iron deficiency, you can contact a health care provider or seek advice from your family doctor to diagnose the cause and clarify the diagnosis.
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