Iron Deficiency Anemia is a condition caused by insufficient iron stores to support production of normal red blood cells. It causes low red blood cell count, low hemoglobin content and smaller than normal red blood cells. The most common causes of iron deficiency anemia are excessive loss of blood and inadequate intake of iron rich foods. Iron deficiency anemia symptoms are often a result of inadequate supply of oxygen to various cells of the body.
Typical symptoms of iron deficiency anemia are:
– Paleness
– Shortness of breath, palpitations and rapid heart rate
– Fatigue and lack of energy
– Chronic dizziness and fainting
– Brittle nails and hair
– Sore tongue, deterioration of taste buds and trouble swallowing
– Digestive problems
– Pica or eating of non food items
– Difficulty in regulating normal body temperature
– Depression and nervousness
People who are most at risk of having iron deficiency anemia are either those who have higher iron level needs or those who are not likely to receive enough iron, or both. Children and women, especially pregnant women have high requirements for iron. Vegetarians are also at risk of iron deficiency. Their main diet consists of non heme iron, the type of iron not easily absorbed by the body.
There are many different ways to treat iron deficiency anemia. The type of treatment depends on the cause of the iron deficiency and the severity of the anemia. Some of the prescribed treatment may be one or more of the following:
– Strict diet of iron rich foods
– Medication to treat complications
– Iron supplementation
– Iron injections
– Intravenous iron therapy
– Blood transfusion
In all cases a diet of Iron Rich Foods will be an essential part of the treatment. And for those who are iron deficient but not anemic yet, start loading up on those Iron Rich Foods right now!
Start increasing your intake of Iron Rich Foods right now by reading this list of the Top 50 Iron Rich Foods.