Iron Deficiency Anemia or lack of iron occurs either through blood loss or during pregnancy. There is a decrease in haemoglobin; the protein responsible for carrying oxygen to your body tissues.
CAUSES
- Inadequate intake of iron through diet
2. Blood loss during menstruation in women of childbearing age.
3. Pregnancy
4. Blood loss through prolonged and indiscriminate use of certain medicines such as aspirin, ibuprofen
5. Certain disease conditions such as colon cancer, ulcers, endometriosis in women.
RISK FACTORS
1. Anyone can be at risk including men and women.
2. Pregnancy
3. Poor diet
4. Vegetarians
5. People who donate blood more frequently
SYMPTOMS
- Tiredness and fatigue
2. Cold hands and feet
3. Chest pain and shortness of breath
4. Headaches, dizziness and lightheadedness
5. Poor appetite in children
6. Pale skin
7. Brittle nails
TAKE AWAY
- If you suspect you are at risk of iron deficiency anaemia, speak to a healthcare professional immediately for proper diagnosis and treatment Too much iron through self-medication can cause damage to the liver.
2. Include iron-rich foods such as leafy vegetables, eggs, meat, beans, fish, bread, pasta, iron-fortified cereals.
3. Eat food rich in vitamin C. broccoli, leafy vegetables, melons, strawberries, oranges, kiwi, tomatoes are some good sources of vitamin c.
4. Ensure your children eat iron-fortified meals, breast milk is better for newborns especially in their first year except otherwise advised by your paediatrician.
5. Diagnosis is done with full blood count (FBC); this gives a measure of your white blood cells, platelets, hematocrit, haemoglobin and size of your red blood cells. A smaller sized RBC with haemoglobin level lower than 12g/dL in women (12-15g/dL) and lower than 13g/dL in men (13.5-17.5) is confirmation of iron deficiency anaemia.
GEORGE ORISILE IS A CLINICAL PHARMACIST
REFERENCES
- NHS UK WEBSITE
2. MAYO CLINIC WEBSITE
3. ANEMIA ON HEALTHLINE WEBSITE
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