DR. ANVI DOGRA, Registered dentist
Iron deficiency anaemia is a blood condition that impacts the red blood cells in your body. It is the most prevalent type of anaemia. It arises from a deficiency of iron in your body, which is needed to produce haemoglobin, a component of red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout your body. Consequently, an iron shortage may make you feel exhausted or short of breath. With time, these symptoms intensify. Iron supplements such as iron and folic acid tablets and anaemia syrup could be recommended if an iron deficit is identified. To ascertain the cause of your iron shortage, medical professionals will also conduct tests and ask you questions.
Effects of iron deficiency anaemia on the body:
The symptoms of iron deficiency anaemia develop gradually. You can initially have low iron and feel normal, or you might have very faint symptoms that are invisible to you. Iron deficiency anaemia, however, can leave you feeling weak and exhausted if left untreated. The pale complexion and chilly hands and feet could be apparent. Additionally, iron deficiency anaemia may result in lightheadedness or vertigo. Shortness of breath, an accelerated heartbeat, and chest pain are occasionally associated with it. You may experience strange desires for non-food objects like ice, paper, or dirt if you are iron deficient.
Development of iron deficiency anaemia:
Normally, the iron that you eat provides your body with a constant supply. To ensure that it is available when needed to create haemoglobin, your body stores extra iron. When your body uses up its iron reserves more quickly than they can be replenished or when the amount of iron entering your system slows down, iron-deficiency anaemia can result. There are three phases to this:
Stage one: There is a decrease in iron reserves. At this point, your red blood cells are unaffected by the decreasing availability of iron needed to produce new haemoglobin and red blood cells.
Second stage: Normal red blood cell production is disrupted when iron levels are low. You experience what is known as latent iron insufficiency, also known as iron-deficient erythropoiesis. The process of making new red blood cells is known medically as erythropoiesis. Your bone marrow produces red blood cells with insufficient haemoglobin at this point.
Stage three: Because there is insufficient iron to produce haemoglobin for red blood cells, iron-deficiency anaemia arises. The haemoglobin concentration will fall below the usual range at this point. At this point, iron-deficiency anaemia symptoms could start to appear.
Causes of iron deficiency anaemia:
The most frequent cause of iron deficiency anaemia is blood loss. Typical causes include the following:
- Bleeding in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract can result in dark, tarry, or sticky-looking faeces or bright red blood. The most prevalent medical diseases that cause GI tract bleeding include colon cancer, polyps, and ulcers. Regular long-term usage of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as naproxen and ibuprofen, or aspirin may result in GI tract problems.
- Bleeding throughout the urinary system
- Blood loss as a result of surgery or an injury.
- Heavy menstrual cycles.
- Regular blood donation.
- Regular blood examinations. This is particularly valid for young children and newborns who undergo numerous blood tests.
Treatment and management of iron deficiency anaemia
Iron supplements, normally taken as iron and folic acid tablets ip and anaemia syrups but occasionally administered via an IV, can be used to treat iron deficiency. Your doctor will make an effort to determine the cause of your low iron levels. The majority of cases of iron deficiency anaemia are caused by blood loss or inadequate iron absorption from food. To treat iron deficiency anaemia, medical professionals first diagnose the condition and, if feasible, treat the underlying cause as well as the iron deficit.
FAQ
- Which is the best iron supplement for women?
A particular kind of iron supplement is ferrous sulphate. Generally, the foods you eat provide you with all the iron you require. If you don’t receive enough iron from your diet, your doctor might suggest ferrous sulphate. Iron supplements can be particularly helpful for women or those who were born with a female gender assignment.
- What is iron and folic acid IP?
A combo medication called IRON+FOLIC ACID contains “haematinics” and is mostly used to treat anaemia, which is a lack of red blood cells and haemoglobin. It functions as a supplement during pregnancy since the body needs more iron and folic acid at this time.
- Who can take iron and folic acid tablets?
In places where food-based methods are not yet fully established or effective, women’s iron and folate status is improved before and throughout pregnancy through the use of iron and folic acid supplements.
- Which is the best anaemia syrup?
Hematinic Dexorange Syrup prevents and cures anaemia brought on by low iron, vitamin B12, and folic acid levels. Additionally, it is used to treat and prevent iron deficiency anaemia brought on by chronic blood loss or hookworm infections, as well as anaemia during pregnancy and lactation.
- Does consuming anaemia syrup increase blood?
When combined with additional drugs like epoetin alfa, oral or intravenous iron therapy can help increase red blood cell production and prevent or treat anaemia in patients with specific chronic illnesses.
- Is anaemia syrup better than iron and folic tablets?
A liquid iron supplement enters our bloodstream more readily and acts faster than iron tablets. A liquid iron supplement may be easier to absorb than a pill as the digestive system won’t have to work as hard to break down the tablet.
