Iron is one of not many micronutrients, in which women need more than men. The reason is that in connection with the female physiological processes of iron, a lot will be spent. Therefore, with an unbalanced diet, women become frequent victims of iron deficiency anemia. Let's talk about the lack of iron in the body and find ways to overcome it.
The occurrence of iron deficiency
The reasons for lack of iron in the body can be the most banal, which is why we do not pay much attention to them:
- pregnancy;
- profuse menstruation;
- intensive physical activity;
- a rigid diet;
- chronic diseases - hemorrhoids, diverticulosis, ulcer.
Do not think that in these cases, iron deficiency is the norm! At pregnancy there is a shortage of iron, if for half a year before conception you were sitting on a rigid diet with a minimum amount of red meat. With abundant menstruation, the deficit is understandable, but we can not tolerate it - women can lose up to 20 mg of iron during monthly periods, if you lose more than average blood, naturally, the loss of iron increases.
In addition, signs of a lack of iron in the body can occur after treatment with antibiotics, and especially aspirin. There is, so-called, drug anemia .
Symptoms
Symptoms of iron deficiency in the body do not differ much from the deficiency of other elements. The organism asks us the same way, and to notice and recognize anemia is our concern:
- fatigue and lack of strength;
- memory impairment;
- headache;
- muscle pain and tingling;
- poor and shallow sleep;
- burning tongue;
- pallor;
- loss and brittle hair and nails.
If the symptoms are confirmed, it's time to take tests.
Diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia
First you need to do a blood test and look at the
Attention smokers! If you smoke, hemoglobin is almost always normal and even exceeded. The reason is simple: the body "escaping" from oxygen starvation increases the production of hemoglobin. Smokers should focus not on a blood test, but on a detailed study of iron metabolism.
If you start taking iron without diagnosis, you risk only worsen your condition. The fact is that if anemia is accompanied by chronic diseases (ulcers, hemorrhoids), iron intake can only exacerbate their course. Therefore, it is very important to have a consultation and examination with a doctor.