Feeling tired and weak is not always a sign of a health condition but feeling considerably tired and weak all the time could be your body giving you an indication that’s something wrong. It’s important to listen to our body because it will let us know when we need to take heed and talk to our doctor. Oftentimes, if you’re feeling persistently tired or weak or you’re experiencing shortness of breath it could be a sign of iron deficiency anemia. There are several forms of anemia, but this blog post will discuss the causes and treatment options for iron deficiency anemia.
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What Is Iron Deficiency Anemia?
According to the World Health Organization, “10 million Americans are iron deficient.” Each year approximately 5,000 people succumb to iron deficiency anemia. Anemia is caused by a deficiency of iron that causes the body not to have enough healthy red blood cells.
Anemia also commonly referred to low hemoglobin can also inhibit your breathing by disturbing your oxygen levels. Your body needs healthy red blood cells to create oxygen. As a result of iron deficiency anemia, you may feel weak, tired, or have increased shortness of breath. Some may experience fainting because of a lack of oxygen.
Why Do I Have Anemia?
The leading cause of anemia is a lack of iron in the blood. The lack of iron creates low hemoglobin which can inhibit your breathing because your body is behind suffering from a lack of oxygen. Unfortunately, a lack of oxygen can cause your body to suffocate within itself. If you think you’re suffering from anemia, you should talk to your doctor right away.
There are other causes of anemia we will explore also. Keep reading more details below to learn more about the other common causes of iron deficiency anemia.
Additional Causes Of Iron Deficiency Anemia
Loss Of Blood. When the body loses too much blood it can cause an individual to become anemic. Simply put, the body is losing more blood than its ability to replace the loss of red blood cells. For example, losing too much blood during surgery can result in an individual being anemic.
Many people aren’t even aware they’re suffering from anemia because it can go unrecognizable without a certain type of testing. Iron deficiency anemia is a common disease that can have an impact on both children and adults alike but also on expecting mothers.
Iron Deficiency And Expecting Mother’s
Research shows, iron deficiency anemia only impacts a small portion of men at roughly 2% worldwide. For women and children, those numbers are extremely significant. According to a physician’s report, a normal red blood cell count in women is 12 (g/DL) grams per deciliter of blood.
In pregnant women, iron deficiency anemia is very common. If a pregnant woman suffers from a severe case of anemia during pregnancy, they will have increased symptoms of tiredness, fatigue, and postpartum depression. In fact, it can also contribute to their child suffering from low birth weight or premature birth. Prenatal vitamins are highly recommended to combat iron deficiency anemia in pregnant women.
How Iron Deficiency Anemia Impacts Children
Infants and children can suffer from iron deficiency anemia. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported, “10% of children in the United States suffer from anemia.” Most children suffer from anemia because of a poor nutritional diet, lack of iron, and folate. Iron deficiency anemia in children can cause them to be tired, fussy, and also suffer from shortness of breath. A child is more likely to suffer from a fatal condition of anemia when compared to adults.
Take a look at the short video clip to discover how iron-deficiency anemia impacts the red blood cells:
The good news is, iron deficiency anemia is treatable and can be cured. There are a few ways to treat anemia, but it’s best to get a diagnosis and treatment options from a doctor. For example, your anemia could be caused by ulcers which are best treated by a licensed medical professional. Older adults with anemia may have cancer and should be diagnosed and treated by a doctor.
How Is Iron Deficiency Anemia Treated?
A doctor will administer a blood test to test your hemoglobin levels. If your levels are too low, the patient may require a blood transfusion to replenish their red blood cells. However, a blood transfusion is for the worst case of anemia.
Oftentimes, adjusting your diet can reverse the signs and symptoms of anemia. The following foods are great for patients who are suffering from anemia:
- red meat
- poultry
- beans
- dark green leafy vegetables
- seafood
Your doctor can recommend a specific diet for your unique case of anemia. Talk to your doctor about the best diet for iron deficiency anemia.
An online pharmacy can also recommend vitamins and supplements for your anemia. Iron supplements are highly recommended for anemia. While your doctor may prescribe iron pills, a pharmacist will recommend iron supplements. You can take iron pills and supplements to slowly reverse anemia. A doctor will give you a blood test to determine what dosage of iron pills is right for you.
You can also discuss your diagnosis with an online pharmacy recommendation. Folate acid is also used to treat and cure the signs and symptoms of anemia. A pharmacy will know the best vitamins and supplements to recommend for anemia without a prescription.
Conclusion
It’s normal to feel tired after a long day of work. However, when you have anemia, activities like exercise or extended excursions can leave you breathless with a lack of oxygen. At this point, it’s very important to talk to your doctor. A doctor or online pharmacy can recommend the best treatment options to cure your iron deficiency anemia.
Vitamins, supplements, iron pills, and folate acid can be used for both children and adults. To avoid a severe case of anemia, be sure to talk to your doctor right away if you’re experiencing symptoms of extreme fatigue or breathlessness.
