What is iron deficiency anemia?
Iron deficiency anemia is the most common form of anemia, a condition in which red blood cells in the body carry enough oxygen into the organs. Iron deficiency anemia is the result of too few red blood cells caused by insufficient iron in the body. Iron is the mineral needed to produce hemoglobin, a pigment that carries the oxygen in the blood. A person may become a lack of iron, if he has too little iron in his diet, he does not absorb iron adequately or loss of blood. In children, iron deficiency may also indicate lead poisoning. Iron deficiency anemia affects women more than men because women lose their blood by menstruation and also because their bodies store less iron than men. Pregnant women are often provided with iron supplements, as the anemia is approximately 50% pregnant and iron is essential for fetal development.
other conditions can cause iron deficiency anemia including ulcers and certain types of cancer. Among the symptoms of anemia with a lack of ŽEleza includes fatigue, weakness, headaches, irritability, pale skin and a bluish tint of white eyes. Iron deficiency anemia develops slowly over time and may not be detectable for several months.
Simple blood tests that measure hemoglobin are usually performed for diagnosis of anemia. Other tests can be carried out to help diagnose the cause of anemia. If the anemia with iron deficiency is suspected, doctors will want to determine this cause, especially in older patients with male and postmenopausal women. In most cases, iron deficiency anemia may be treated with oral iron supplements. Hemoglobin levels generally return to normal within a few months. Mild constipation is the most common side effect of iron supplements generally retreats within a few weeks.
people who suspect iron deficiency, either because of eating problems or symptomsshould talk to their healthcare provider. The doctor is most likely to order a blood test to confirm the anemia and may or may not require further testing to determine the cause. Most iron deficiency anemia is caused by iron deficiency in the diet and is easy to treat.