Lack of iron in the body: what to do?

Lack of iron in the body or iron deficiency anemia is a very common problem. It faces both adults and children. It is worth noting that in no case can not ignore this disease, since it can lead to serious consequences.

Iron is a metal that performs a number of very important functions in the body. In particular, it is part of hemoglobin and is responsible for transporting oxygen to tissues and removing carbon dioxide from them.

Lack of iron in the blood: the main causes

Modern medicine knows many causes of such a disease:

• Often anemia is associated with inadequate intake of this metal together with food.

• Sometimes the lack of iron in the body is caused by a deficiency of vitamins B12 and C, which are involved in the processes of its assimilation.

• Iron deficiency anemia can be the result of severe blood loss.

• The cause may be diseases of other organs and systems, in particular, kidney diseases, infections and parasitic infestations, abnormalities in the thyroid gland, the presence of tumors, and strong radiation.

In any case, remember that the doctor is primarily obliged to determine the cause of the disease, and only then proceed to its treatment - only so you can achieve full recovery.

Lack of iron in the body: symptoms

Anemia is a disease that develops slowly and gradually. There are a few very characteristic symptoms, noticing that it's worth starting to worry. A person quickly becomes tired, becomes weak, drowsy, irritable or apathetic. Sometimes the disease can affect the condition of the skin - they become pale. In addition, the lack of iron primarily affects the work of the immune system - a person becomes more prone to colds and any other infectious diseases.

Lack of iron in the body and its consequences

As already mentioned, iron deficiency anemia is a very dangerous disease. For example, in children without treatment, it can affect mental and physical development. In addition, over time, the skin becomes dry, cracks appear on it, especially in the corners of the lips. The work of the immune and cardiovascular systems is disrupted. Iron deficiency is closely associated with a lack of oxygen, which affects the state of the nervous system - a person suffers from headaches and insomnia, poorly concentrates and remembers better.

Treatment of iron deficiency

Of course, in the first place the doctor must determine the cause of anemia. To do this, you need to collect a complete history, examine the patient's blood, check the work of some organs. By the way, iron deficiency anemia is not always visible by analysis - the number of erythrocytes can be normal, but the ESR changes significantly.

After the cause is found and eliminated, it is necessary to quickly restore the normal level of this metal in the body. To this end, the doctor appoints special iron preparations. In addition, the patient needs to monitor his diet, give up coffee and nicotine. A lot of iron is found in red meats, peas, buckwheat, liver, beets, parsley, apples, almonds and other products.