What is iron deficiency anemia

Iron deficiency anemia is when your body does not have enough iron to produce hemoglobin—the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body. Iron is an essential mineral needed to make red blood cells, and low amounts can lead to anemia, causing headaches, pale skin, fatigue, and other symptoms. What Causes Iron Deficiency Anemia? Iron deficiency anemia occurs when you do not have enough iron to produce hemoglobin. If your iron levels are low, your body will use iron reserves to produce healthy red blood cells. As your iron reserves deplete, fewer red blood cells are produced, leading to iron deficiency anemia. • Gastrointestinal conditions, such as H. Pylori infection • Surgery on your digestive system, such as bariatric (weight loss) surgery • Genetic conditions that impair iron absorption, such as cystic fibrosis • Medications used to treat heartburn, ulcers, and other acid-related conditions (e.g., proton-pump inhibitors, calcium carbonate, and histamine-2 receptor antagonists) • Heavy menstruation • Internal bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract due to inflammatory bowel disease, • Bleeding during childbirth • Regular use of over-the-counter pain relievers, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as Advil (ibuprofen) or Aleve (naproxen) • Traumatic injury or surgery • Urinary tract bleeding due to • Following a vegetarian or vegan diet • Pregnancy, recent childbirth, and breastfeeding • Children who drink more than 16-24 ounces...

If you’re feeling tired and often unfocused, you could have anemia. Understanding Iron Deficiency Anemia ‌ When your body doesn’t have enough ‌ Iron deficiency anemia affects your body first, then it starts to affect your overall well-being. You may start to notice that you're fatigued or have a reduced ability to focus on your work. Until these changes start happening, you might not know you have anemia. The Role of Iron in Your Body Iron plays an important part in your body’s functions. It’s necessary to keep blood pumping oxygen throughout your body to all your major organs. ‌ You get iron from your food. It’s absorbed in your gastrointestinal tract, but only a small portion is absorbed. After absorption, the iron is put into your bloodstream where it is then transferred to and stored in your liver. Signs and Symptoms of Iron Deficiency Anemia The first signs that you have iron deficiency anemia are: • Brittle nails • Cracks on the sides of your mouth • Pale skin • Swelling or soreness of your tongue ‌ Symptoms of • Fatigue or feeling very tired • Chest pain • Restless legs syndrome • Shortness of breath • Weakness • Coldness in your hands and feet • Difficulty concentrating • Dizziness • Headache • Irregular heartbeat • Pica, which is the craving to eat non-food items like chalk or dirt Causes of Iron Deficiency Anemia Blood loss. The most common cause of iron deficiency anemia is blood loss. If you have a heavy period you may be more at risk for this type of anemia. Y...

While women are the most likely to develop iron deficiency anemia, people who eat a vegetarian or vegan diet long term have an increased risk of developing the condition. Iron Deficiency Anemia by Ethnicity Iron deficiency anemia does not affect all ethnicities equally. Americans of non-Hispanic Black descent are the most likely to develop iron deficiency anemia and account for the majority of cases. • Heavy menstrual periods • Being pregnant or recently having had a baby • Breastfeeding • Gastrointestinal diseases such as • • Recently undergoing bariatric surgical procedures such as gastric bypass • Eating a vegetarian or vegan diet • Cancer • Heart failure • In children, drinking more than 16 ounces of cow’s milk each day What are the Mortality Rates for Iron Deficiency Anemia Research has found that the rates of mortality caused by iron deficiency anemia have increased slightly from 0.04 to 0.08 deaths per 100,000 people between 1999 and 2018. Women are more likely to experience death from iron deficiency anemia than men, and between 1999 and 2018, 1,414 males and 2,570 females have died from the condition. A Screening and Early Detection Screening to detect iron deficiency anemia early is an excellent step to take if you are at an increased risk or are experiencing symptoms. While the death rate for the condition is low, it is always best to treat an iron deficiency as early as possible because prolonged iron deficiency anemia can turn severe and lead to lasting organ ...