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hy does iron deficiency anemia make you feel exhausted
Iron deficiency anemia is a type of anemia caused by a lack of iron. In the blood, anemia is a decrease in the number of red blood cells or the amount of hemoglobin. When the condition gets worse, symptoms are often vague, such as feeling tired, weak, short of breath, or decreased ability to exercise. In contrast, when an exacerbation occurs flare-up, more severe symptoms may occur, including confusion, feeling like passing out, or increased thirst. Often, anemia is already quite severe before a person begins to look noticeably pale.
Iron deficiency leads to insufficient hemoglobin production, which causes every cell in the body to experience oxygen deprivation, ultimately causing a feeling of fatigue.
Iron deficiency anemia is caused mainly by bleeding, dietary inadequacy, or poor absorption of iron from food. Sources of bleeding may include menorrhagia, childbirth, uterine fibroids, stomach ulcers, colon cancer, and urinary bleeding. In developing countries, parasitic infections, malaria, and HIV/AIDS increase the risk of iron deficiency anemia. Iron deficiency anemia can be diagnosed through blood tests. Getting enough iron in your diet or taking iron supplements can prevent this condition.
Signs and symptoms of anemia
In many cases, people with iron deficiency anemia may not have any symptoms in the early stages. This condition usually develops slowly, giving the body time to adapt, so it is usually not noticeable. If symptoms occur, they may include paleness of the skin or mucous membranes, as well as feeling tired, weak, dizzy, palpitations, and decreased concentration. None of these symptoms are specific; however, as the condition worsens, shortness of breath may also occur.
Iron deficiency may also lead to cardiophagia, where sufferers may experience a craving for ice cubes, which is considered a hallmark of the condition.
Causes of iron deficiency anemia
The diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia requires further investigation into its cause. The main causes include increased iron requirements, increased iron losses or improper iron intake. For example, children and pregnant women have increased iron requirements as they grow, which may lead to deficiency. In addition, conditions such as menorrhagia can also cause heavy blood loss and endanger iron storage. Vegetarians or people who don't get enough iron are at particularly high risk.
Anemia caused by parasites
One of the leading causes of iron deficiency anemia in the world is ascariasis, caused by parasitic worms. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 2 billion people worldwide are infected with soil-transmitted roundworms, which cause anemia by attaching to the intestines, causing damage and chronic blood loss.
Sources of blood loss
Red blood cells contain iron, so loss of blood also results in loss of iron. Menstruation, gastrointestinal bleeding, gastrointestinal ulcers and bleeding diseases are important sources of blood loss. Especially for women during their menstrual period, if they experience heavy menstruation, the risk is particularly high. Some birth control methods, such as oral contraceptives and IUDs, can also reduce menstrual bleeding and thus reduce the risk of iron deficiency.
Effects of diet on anemia
The human body usually obtains the iron it needs from food. If the intake is insufficient or the absorption capacity is poor, iron deficiency will occur. Good sources of iron include meat, eggs, green leafy vegetables and iron-fortified foods. Iron in the diet is especially important for normal growth and development of infants and young children.
If breast-fed babies are exposed to milk too early, they may develop anemia due to gastrointestinal bleeding, which is a problem that medical personnel need to pay attention to.
Communication and Inspection
Gastrointestinal bleeding is often assumed to be the cause of anemia during the initial evaluation, particularly if the patient is older. Therefore, it is essential to perform an endoscopy to evaluate for the presence of gastrointestinal bleeding or tumors. After diagnosis, blood tests will usually show low hemoglobin and low blood pressure cumulative values, which can help confirm the diagnosis.
Iron Supplementation and Recommendations
Dietary modifications, iron supplements, and treatment of the underlying cause are the mainstays of treatment for iron deficiency anemia. In some cases, blood transfusions or intravenous iron may be needed to protect the patient's health. Supplementing with vitamin C will also help improve iron absorption efficiency.
People in ancient and modern times, both in China and abroad, have felt dizzy and weak because of this. Does this make you realize the importance of daily diet and health management?
