Eisenmangel - Ursachen, Symptome Und Behandlung

Eisenmangel

Iron deficiency is also known as anaemia or iron deficiency anaemia. This condition is one of the most common nutritional deficiencies, particularly in children and pre-menopausal women. This condition is characterized by the depletion of the body’s stores of iron and inability of the body to maintain normal levels of haemoglobin in the blood.

Haemoglobin is a substance that is present in red blood cells that enable them to carry oxygen throughout the body. Lack of sufficient iron makes the body unable to produce enough haemoglobin. This results in functional and health impairment which adversely affects the functioning of several organ systems.

Causes of Iron Deficiency

The causes revolve around insufficient consumption of iron or losing too much iron. In both the cases, your body is unable to produce enough haemoglobin. Some of the most common iron deficiency causes are as follows.

1. Increased Iron Needs:

There are certain conditions under which people need additional amounts of iron

• Infants and toddlers have greater iron needs in comparison to older children as they are in the rapid growth phase and at times it becomes difficult for them to get enough iron from their normal diet.
• Pregnant women need more iron because their iron sources need to serve their own increased blood volume as well as provide haemoglobin for the growing foetus.

2. Loss of Blood:

When people lose blood, they also lose iron as blood contains iron within the red blood cells. So they need extra iron to replace the lost iron.

• Women with heavy periods are more likely to suffer from iron deficiency anaemia as they lose blood during menstruation.
• Certain ailments like peptic ulcer, hiatal hernia, a colon polyp or colorectal cancer also cause slow chronic blood loss within the body, resulting in iron deficiency.
• Gastrointestinal bleeding due to regular use of some over the counter pain relievers such as aspirin can also cause anaemia. Internal bleeding is the most common cause of iron deficiency in men and postmenopausal women.

3. Lack of Iron in Diet:

The iron needed by our bodies is mostly obtained from the foods that we eat. Consumption of too low a dose of iron over time can lead to iron deficiency. Iron-rich foods include meat, leafy vegetables, eggs and iron-fortified foods. Infants and children also need iron from their diet for their proper growth and development.

4. Mal-absorption of Iron:

Besides consumption, iron from food should be absorbed into your bloodstream in your small intestine. Celiac disease is an intestinal disorder that affects your intestine’s ability to absorb nutrients from digested food, thus causing iron deficiency. Absorption of iron is also affected if part of your intestine has been bypassed or removed surgically. The amount of iron absorbed from foods depends upon other factors given below.

Iron from animal sources like meat, chicken and fish is heme iron which can be absorbed 2 to 3 times more efficiently than non-heme iron from plants.

Absorption of non-heme iron from plant foods depends upon the other types of foods eaten with them. For instance, foods like meat, chicken and fish which contain heme iron increase absorption from foods containing non-heme iron such as fortified cereals, spinach and certain beans. Foods containing vitamin C can also enhance the absorption of non-heme iron when eaten at the same meal.

Substances like polyphenols, phytates or calcium which are found in some foods or drinks such as tea, coffee, whole grains, legumes, milk and dairy products can decrease the absorption of non-heme iron.

Victims of Iron Deficiency

Though anyone can suffer from iron deficiency, certain people are at greater risk. Since the risk is high their needs for iron is greater than others.

1. Women:

Women lose blood during menstruation and so they are at a greater risk of suffering from anaemia. Pregnant women can also get this deficiency because of high iron requirement.

2. Infants and Children:

Infants, particularly those with low birth-weight or born prematurely, do not get enough iron from breast milk or formula and so they are at a higher risk of iron deficiency. Children need extra iron during growth phase. Children with special health needs such as those with chronic infections or restricted diet are also at risk.

3. Vegetarians:

Those who do not eat meat are at a higher risk of iron deficiency. As stated earlier, plants contain non-heme iron which needs to be supplemented with other sources of heme iron like meat, fish and eggs to facilitate their absorption.

4. Frequent Blood Donors:

Those who donate blood frequently are at an increased risk of iron deficiency as their iron stores get depleted due to blood donation. Low haemoglobin caused by blood donation is, however, a temporary problem which can be cured by eating iron rich foods.

Iron Deficiency Symptoms

Inadequate levels of iron can impair body functions. Most physical signs and symptoms do not show up as they are mild. You can notice them only when your anaemia gets worse. The symptoms are not visible during the early stages of iron deficiency. A person having iron deficiency may have the following symptoms.

• Tiredness and weakness
• Dizziness
• Headaches
• Shortness of breath
• Pale skin
• Chest pain
• Difficulty in concentrating
• Slow cognitive and social development during childhood
• Coldness in hands and feet
• Difficulty in maintenance of body temperature
• Slow immune function which increases susceptibility to infection
• Glossitis (inflamed tongue)
• Symptoms in infants and children:-
• Fussy behaviour
• Short attention span
• Slow growth and development
• Poor appetite
• Delayed development of skills like walking and talking

[Read: Causes Of Malnutrition]

Iron Deficiency Diseases

Iron deficiency is a serious condition which, if taken lightly, can lead to long term health issues. Mild deficiency of iron causes no severe complications, but when left untreated, it can lead to the following health issues.

1. Anaemia:

Severe deficiency of iron can cause anaemia due to the disruption of the normal lifespan of a red blood cell. In this condition, haemoglobin levels are so low that the blood is unable to enough oxygen to the cells, thus affecting the entire body. Symptoms of anaemia include looking very pale, breathlessness, dizziness and fatigue. It also results in reduced immune function and impaired growth and cognition.

2. Heart Ailments:

Deficiency of iron can lead to rapid or irregular heartbeat. When you are anaemic, your heart is required to pump more blood to compensate for the lack of oxygen carried in your blood. This can cause enlarged heart or heart failure.

3. Inadequate Growth:

Severe deficiency of iron can lead to delayed growth and development in infants and children. It is also associated with increased susceptibility to develop infections.

4. Complications in Pregnancy:

Pregnant women are at a higher risk of iron deficiency. It can lead to premature births and babies with low birth-weight. This condition can be easily prevented during pregnancy by taking iron supplements as part of prenatal care.

5. Colon Cancer:

Iron deficiency is one of the causes of colon cancer. A research conducted on 628, 882 patients of 40 years of age and above indicated that 3.1% or 19, 349 patients had iron deficiency anaemia. Thus, those suffering from iron deficiency are at a greater risk of developing colon cancer.

6. Fatigue:

Iron deficiency can result in fatigue. It is characterized by depression and lack of sleep. Hence, iron deficiency should be recognized and treated to prevent fatigue.

[Read: Nutritionists In India]

Treatment of Iron Deficiency

Iron deficiency should not be ignored as it can lead to several health problems. Proper diagnosis and treatment of this problem is important before the condition worsens. Iron deficiency can be easily diagnosed by taking a haemoglobin test which measures haemoglobin or haematocrit test which measures the percentage of red blood cells in your blood by volume.

Reduction in haemoglobin and haematocrit levels indicates a serious deficiency of iron. Treatment of iron deficiency depends upon other factors such as your age, health and cause of iron deficiency. Some of the ways of treating iron deficiency are given below.

1. Consumption of Iron Rich Foods:

Mild deficiency of iron can be cured by including iron rich foods in your diet. The iron from animal sources like meat, poultry and eggs is more easily absorbed by your body. If you are a vegetarian, you need to increase your intake of iron-rich plant-based foods to absorb the same amount of iron as the plant sources. The list given below shows the sources of heme and non-heme iron.

Serving Size

Iron

% Guideline

Iron supplements such as iron tablets and capsules are often recommended by the doctors to replenish the iron stores in your body. To facilitate better absorption of iron in the tablets, it is beneficial to take them on an empty stomach. Since these tablets can upset your stomach, it is often recommended to take them with meals. 3. Consumption of Foods Rich in Vitamin C: Vitamin C enhances the body’s absorption of iron. It is advisable to drink citrus juice or other foods rich in vitamin C at the same time when you eat high iron foods. Citrus juices like orange juice or lemon juice contain vitamin C which helps your body to better absorb dietary iron. Iron supplements should also be taken with a glass of citrus juice or vitamin C supplement for better absorption. 4. Treatment of Underlying Causes of Iron Deficiency: If the iron supplements fail to increase your blood iron levels, the deficiency is due to a source of bleeding or iron absorption problem which needs to be diagnosed and treated. Treatment of the underlying causes of deficiency involves the following. Medications such as oral contraceptives to lessen heavy menstrual flow Antibiotics and other medications for the treatment of peptic ulcers Surgery for removal of a tumour, bleeding polyp or fibroid 5. Treatment of Iron Deficiency in Infants: Apart from the supplements recommended by the doctor, babies should be fed with breast-milk or iron-fortified formula in the first year. Cow’s milk is not a good source of iron and so it should not be given to infants below the age of one year. Iron from breast milk can be more easily absorbed than the iron found in formula. Iron deficiency cannot be cured overnight. If your deficiency is severe, it can take several months or even longer to replenish your reserves. Besides ingesting iron in the form of supplements, it is advisable to incorporate dietary changes i.e. consume iron rich foods. So don’t become iron deficient, follow these tips to avoid any complications. Stay fit, stay healthy! Empfohlen: Top 5 Symptome Von Schuppen Schuppen sind eine häufige Kopfhauterkrankung. Genaue Ursachen für Schuppen sind den medizinischen Experten noch unbekannt. Während fettige Kopfhaut ein häufiger Faktor ist, der zu Schuppen führt, haben Menschen mit trockener Haut manchmal das gleiche Kopfhautproblem. Mehr 10 Symptome Und Nebenwirkungen Von Hunger Hunger ist ein Zustand, in dem Sie Ihrem Körper über einen langen Zeitraum keine Nahrung und kein Wasser zuführen.Es wird oft von einem schweren Mangel an Kalorien aufgenommen. Hunger kann selbst verursacht werden (Hardcore-Diät) oder aufgrund anderer Erkrankungen wie Anorexie oder Bulimie.Hun Natürliche Behandlung Von Osteoporose - Symptome, Risikofaktoren Und Ernährungstipps InhaltsverzeichnisWas ist Osteoporose?Arten von OsteoporoseAnzeichen und SymptomeUrsachen und RisikofaktorenOsteopenia Vs. OsteoporoseDiagnosemethodenWie Osteoporose natürlich zu behandelnAndere BehandlungenBeste Diät für OsteoporosePräventionstippsOsteoporose verursacht weltweit jährlich etwa 8,9 Millionen Frakturen (1). Tats Schlafentzug: Wirkungen Und Symptome + Natürliche Behandlungen Schlafentzug wirkt sich auf Ihren Körper mehr aus, als Sie sich vorstellen können. Wenn Sie Ihren Schlaf immer wieder verpassen, wird Ihr Geist beschlagen und Ihre Fähigkeit, klar zu denken oder zu handeln, beeinträchtigt. Dies ist eine der Hauptursachen für Unfälle - sei es zu Hause oder unterwegs.Sch Was Ist Tuberkulose (TB) - Symptome, 14 Heilmittel + Lebensmittel Zu Essen Die meisten von Ihnen kennen TB vielleicht. Tuberkulose oder TB, wie sie allgemein genannt wird, war eine der häufigsten Todesursachen im 20. Jahrhundert. Und genau wie das Nipah-Virus von Kerala war diese Krankheit ansteckend. Auch heute noch erregt TB Angst und muss für eine erfolgreiche Genesung 6 bis 9 Monate lang medizinisch behandelt werden. D Interessante Beiträge Weiterlesen Haarpflege So Verbessern Sie Ihre Haartextur Auf Natürliche Weise - 9 Möglichkeiten Der Begriff "Haartextur" wird verwendet, um die Breite oder den Umfang Ihrer Haarsträhne zu definieren. Profis klassifizieren Ihre Haartextur normalerweise als grob, fein oder mittel.Während grobes Haar den größten Umfang hat, hat feines Haar den kleinsten. Mit Weiterlesen Zutaten 16 Vorteile Von Jamaican Black Castor Oil Für Haut, Haar Und Gesundheit Sie haben vielleicht schon einmal von Rizinusöl gehört, aber was ist mit jamaikanischem Rizinusöl? Wo ist der Unterschied? Und was noch wichtiger ist, wie hilft es Ihnen? Hier diskutieren wir die Vorteile von jamaikanischem Rizinusöl und die Auswirkungen, die es auf Ihr Leben haben kann.W Weiterlesen Hautpflege Wie Man Besenreiser Natürlich Verbessert Besenreiser, auch als Teleangiektasien bekannt, sind erweiterte Venen (ähnlich einem Spinnennetz), die sich auf der Hautoberfläche befinden. Sie werden normalerweise nicht diagnostiziert, es sei denn, mit ihrem Aussehen sind andere Symptome verbunden. B