Iron Deficiency Anemia
Anemia is a type of condition in which a person lacks blood/red blood cells in their body. There are five different kinds of anemia: aplastic anemia, iron deficiency anemia, sickle cell anemia, thalassemia, and vitamin deficiency anemia. Iron deficiency anemia is the insufficient amount of iron in a person’s blood. Iron makes hemoglobin, which is the protein in a person’s blood cells that transfers oxygen throughout the body. When a person has iron deficiency anemia, their hemoglobin level will be lower than the normal level of 13.2 to 16.6 grams per deciliter for males, or 11.6 to 15 grams for females. Due to this low hemoglobin level, an anemic individual will not be able to get enough oxygen as compared to the average person.
Iron deficiency anemia is typically found in women more than men. The cause of iron deficiency anemia is from the shortage of iron in a person’s body. A common cause for this shortage is not eating enough foods containing iron. Because of this, people aren’t taking in the iron they need to produce enough hemoglobin. Women with heavy periods or who are pregnant can get anemia from the loss of too much blood and the lack of their storage of iron. In the beginning, symptoms of iron deficiency wouldn’t be completely noticed. However, symptoms will be more intense as a person’s anemia becomes worse. Some symptoms of iron deficiency include fatigue, weakness, pale complexion, lightheadedness, and much more. Iron deficiency can also cause someone to have poor appetite, meaning that a person’s diet won’t be able to recover and get the iron they need, so the situation may get worse if they don’t try to eat. Iron deficiency anemia can certainly be treated. Taking iron supplements and eating iron-rich foods like red meat, spinach, and seafood can gradually raise a person’s iron levels to get back to a healthy state.
All in all, iron deficiency is one of the most common causes of anemia. By understanding what anemia is and how iron deficiency can occur, people are able to prevent iron deficiency anemia from happening by having a healthy diet, boosting iron levels, and taking care of their body in general. While iron deficiency anemia may not seem as harmful as other kinds of anemia, an individual should always look after their health to reduce the risk of being iron deficient and facing its symptoms.
Works Cited
https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/anemia/iron-deficiency-anemia
https://intermountainhealthcare.org/services/blood-disorders/conditions/iron-deficiency/
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/hemoglobin-test/about/pac-20385075
https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/iron-deficiency-anemia
