3 minute read
iron deficiency anaemia
from EDITION 249
by WXPG.com
Anaemia a ects approximately 30% of the world's population. Iron de ciency anaemia, due to lack of iron, speci cally a ects between 2% and 5% of adult males and postmenopausal women and up to 10% of women of childbearing age.
Women tend to su er from anaemia more than men, as women of childbearing age regularly lose blood during menstruation and their body is not always able to recover blood iron levels. Dr Maria Cassanova, haematologist at HC Marbella Hospital tells us about the 5 most important aspects of iron deficiency anaemia.
What is iron deficiency anaemia?
Iron de ciency anaemia is caused by a drop in the haemoglobin which is contained in red blood cells and carries oxygen to all the body’s tissues. Haemoglobin is an iron-rich protein, but sometimes iron stores drop producing a cumulative iron de cit, which is the cause of this type of anaemia. In developed countries it is more common in infants, pre-school children, adolescents, and women of childbearing age.
How do I know if I have iron deficiency anaemia?
Symptoms such as tiredness, pale conjunctiva, tendency to brittle nails or substantial hair loss can be signs of this type of anaemia. In such cases it is important to visit a haematology specialist for tests, such as full blood count.
The causes of this type of anaemia
Iron de ciency anaemia can occur due to a decrease in or problems with food intake, for lack of su cient vitamin uptake in the cells. is nutritional de cit is usually the result of other diseases such as anorexia, or loss of appetite leading to inadequate nutrition in patients with conditions such as cancer. Sometimes patients eat adequate amounts, but their duodenum is unable to absorb iron. Blood loss is another possible cause. In women of childbearing age iron levels can drop due to blood loss during the menstrual period, with the body unable to restore them.
In men there may be conditions of the digestive tract, such as polyps, ulcers or tumors causing blood loss.
The Treatment
the initial recommended treatment for iron deficiency anaemia is a change in diet. A diet high in iron-rich foods. avoiding those foods that prevent its absorption.
As well as dietary changes, the body must be provided with additional iron. Initially, treatment is the oral administration of iron as an iron salt, usually ferrous sulphate, which needs to be taken over an extended period of time.
Patients who cannot tolerate oral iron, patients with bariatric surgery problems preventing oral iron absorption or patients with severe anaemia require iron to be given intravenously. his treatment should always be controlled and monitored by a haematologist; iron overload can lead to serious problems for the body in the same way as iron deficiency.
Anaemia is a common disease which can be easily treated, in some cases it also alerts us to other serious diseases. If you have any unusual symptoms, it is important to speak to your doctor.
At HC Marbella we answer your questions to look after your health.
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