When there is not enough iron in the body, iron deficiency is a common condition. Iron is a fundamental mineral that plays an important role in the production of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is a protein found in red blood cells and allows oxygen to be transported to the body. Without sufficient iron, the body cannot produce healthy red blood cells. As a result, oxygen transport decreases. This is called iron deficiency anemia. It can cause various health problems such as fatigue, weakness and dizziness.
What is iron deficiency?
It is a condition that the body does not have enough iron to produce healthy blood cells. Iron is a vital mineral for the body’s energy production, immune functions and general metabolic processes. It is especially necessary for the production of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin deficiency may cause anemia, causing a decrease in oxygen transport. Since the body cannot naturally produce iron, it should be taken through nutrients. Iron deficiency occurs when iron -rich foods are not consumed or body iron cannot sufficiently absorb. In addition, situations such as blood loss or intestinal diseases during menstrual periods may also cause iron levels to decrease.
The common causes of iron deficiency include low iron intake, absorption problems, excessive blood loss and pregnancy. Mild iron deficiency is usually not noticed. However, significant symptoms may occur at the following levels. Symptoms such as fatigue, wilt, dizziness and shortness of breath are important signs that show that the body does not get enough oxygen. If iron deficiency is not treated for a long time, it may lead to weakening of the immune system, concentration difficulty and developmental retardation in children.
What are the symptoms of iron deficiency?
With the decrease in iron levels in the body, it can cause various symptoms on physical, mental and general health. Symptoms, which initially follow slightly, become more evident as the deficiency progresses. Since the body does not get enough oxygen, symptoms such as fatigue, weakness and concentration disorder are common. In addition, symptoms such as wilt, dizziness and shortness of breath are also common. Symptoms of iron deficiency may be more pronounced especially in women and children. Iron deficiency can adversely affect the body’s metabolism and immune system. Physical changes such as hair loss, nail fracture and wounds in the mouth are among the symptoms that are expressed by iron deficiency. In some patients, abnormal nutrition requests occur. The desire to eat non -nutrient substances such as soil, ice or starch may be seen. Symptoms of iron deficiency can be listed as follows:
- Excessive fatigue and weakness: Energy decreases because there is not enough oxygen in the body.
- Pale skin: Hemoglobin deficiency causes skin color to look pale.
- Shortness of breath: It may be difficult to breathe during physical activities.
- Dizziness and headache: These symptoms may occur if enough oxygen does not go to the brain.
- Hair loss: Iron deficiency can cause weakening of hair follicles.
- Nail Breaking and Deformity: Nails are easily broken and pitting (spoon nail) can be seen.
- Oral and Language Problems: Language swelling, redness and sensitivity in the mouth may occur.
- Abnormal food requests (pica syndrome): The desire to eat substances such as soil, ice or starch may develop.
- Cold Hands and Feet: Limbs may be cold due to insufficient blood circulation.
- Fast Heartbeat (Tachycardia): The body can increase heart rate to close the oxygen deficit.
What does iron deficiency lead to?
It can cause serious health problems in the long run. The weakening of the immune system may cause more prone to infections. In addition, brain functions and nervous system are adversely affected. This may result in attention deficit, learning difficulties and memory problems. Growth and developmental retardation may be experienced in children and adolescents. Iron deficiency can also adversely affect heart health. The problems caused by iron deficiency can be listed as follows:
- Iron deficiency anemia: Red blood cells cannot be produced sufficiently, anemia occurs.
- Immune system weakness: Resistance to infections decreases.
- Concentration and memory problems: Brain functions are adversely affected.
- Growth and developmental retardation: Growth slows down when there is not enough iron intake in children.
- Risk of Heart Diseases: Long -term iron deficiency can increase the risk of heart failure.
- Muscle weakness and low physical performance: The body’s durability decreases, muscle fatigue increases.
- Pregnancy Complications: Premature birth, low risk and low birth weighted baby is likely to give birth.
- Nervous system problems: Restless leg syndrome and neural tension may develop.
- Hair and Skin Problems: Hair loss, pale skin and fragile nails are common.
- Digestive problems: Intestinal movements slow down and constipation may occur.
If iron deficiency is not diagnosed and treated early, it may cause more serious health problems over time. For this reason, it is important to regulate nutritional habits, monitor with regular blood tests and use reinforcements in case of necessary cases.
Causes iron deficiency?
It occurs as a result of the inability to get or use the iron required for the body to work in a healthy way. Iron is necessary for the production of hemoglobin, the main component of red blood cells. Nutritional insufficiency is one of the most common causes of iron deficiency. Since the body cannot produce iron by itself, it should be taken by external foods. Failure to consume foods such as red meat, dark green leafy vegetables, legumes and iron -rich cereals may lead to a decrease in iron levels in the body. In particular, vegetarian or vegan fed can be faced with the risk of iron deficiency if they do not receive enough iron.
Chronic blood loss is one of the most important reasons that lead to depletion of iron stores in the body. Disorders such as menorrhea, stomach and intestinal bleeding, hemorrhoids (hemorrhoids) or stomach ulcers may cause serious iron losses in the long run. In the same way, hidden internal bleeding may continue for a long time without noticing and iron deficiency can lead to anemia. Intestinal parasites can also cause blood loss and trigger iron deficiency.
Inadequate absorption of iron is the condition in which the iron cannot be sufficiently absorbed by the intestines even though sufficient iron is taken into the body. Intestinal diseases such as celiac disease, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis can cause deficiency by preventing the absorption of iron from the intestines. In addition, people who have gastric surgery (gastric bypass) may have a decrease in iron absorption due to the decrease in stomach acid. Pregnancy and breastfeeding are periods when iron needs increases. Extra iron is required for the development of the baby during pregnancy. If the mother does not receive enough iron, both the health of her and the baby may be at risk. During the breastfeeding period, the mother’s iron stores in her body can be exhausted rapidly as the mother provides iron to the baby through milk.
How is iron deficiency diagnosed?
When common symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, shortness of breath and pale skin are seen, doctors measure blood levels in the body by performing blood tests. However, it is not enough to measure the level of hemoglobin only to diagnose iron deficiency; More detailed reviews are required. The first step in the diagnosis of iron deficiency is the evaluation of the patient’s medical history and symptoms. The patient helps the doctor to determine the cause by providing information about dietary habits, menstrual cycle, intestinal diseases or chronic diseases. Physical examination is another step in which the doctor evaluates the general health status of the patient. Pale skin, fragile nails, hair loss and wounds in the mouth are among the physical symptoms that are released by iron deficiency. In addition, changes such as swelling, sensitivity or smoothness in the tongue may also be an indication of iron deficiency anemia.
How is iron deficiency treated?
The treatment process is usually applied in the form of iron supplements, changing the diet and medical intervention when necessary. If iron deficiency is a medical condition such as a disease or loss of blood, this cause must be eliminated first. The first step for the treatment of iron deficiency is to increase the consumption of iron -rich foods and to add foods to the diet that supports iron absorption. However, in some cases, only nutritional change may not be sufficient. In particular, pregnant women, children, individuals with absorption disorder or patients with severe iron deficiency may use iron supplements under the supervision of a doctor.
What is good for iron deficiency?
In order to eliminate and prevent iron deficiency, it is important to consume iron -rich foods and to adopt the eating habits that increase absorption. Pay attention to nutrition allows the body to take adequate iron in natural ways and reduce the need for reinforcement. Red meat, chicken and turkey, fish, liver and offal, dark green leafy vegetables, legumes, whole grains are rich in iron. While the iron of animal origin is absorbed more easily by the body, the absorption of vegetable iron is more difficult. However, consuming foods containing vitamin C in addition to herbal iron sources can help to increase iron absorption. Tea and coffee and dairy products may cause a decrease in iron absorption.
