Anemia caused by low iron intake, inefficient iron absorption in the gastrointestinal tract, or chronic blood loss.
Symptoms of Iron Deficiency Anemia
The following features are indicative of Iron Deficiency Anemia:
weakness or tiredness
shortness of breath
dizziness
headache
coldness in the hands and feet
pale skin
chest pain
intermittent claudication of the legs
symptoms of heart failure
palpitations
It is possible that Iron Deficiency Anemia shows no physical symptoms and still is present in a patient.
Get TabletWise Pro
Thousands of Classes to Help You Become a Better You.
Common Causes of Iron Deficiency Anemia
The following are the most common causes of Iron Deficiency Anemia:
blood loss
increased red blood cell destruction
hypervolemia
impaired red blood cell production
Risk Factors for Iron Deficiency Anemia
The following factors may increase the likelihood of Iron Deficiency Anemia:
low iron diet
blood loss from an injury or surgery
serious illnesses
family history of inherited anemia
long-term infections
Prevention of Iron Deficiency Anemia
Yes, it may be possible to prevent Iron Deficiency Anemia. Prevention may be possible by doing the following:
eat balanced diet rich in iron or iron supplementation
Occurrence of Iron Deficiency Anemia
Number of Cases
The following are the number of Iron Deficiency Anemia cases seen each year worldwide:
Very common > 10 Million cases
Common Age Group
Iron Deficiency Anemia can occur at any age.
Common Gender
Iron Deficiency Anemia can occur in any gender.
Lab Tests and Procedures for Diagnosis of Iron Deficiency Anemia
The following lab tests and procedures are used to detect Iron Deficiency Anemia:
Complete blood count: To count the total number of blood cells
Red blood cell size test: To examine the size of red blood cells
Doctor for Diagnosis of Iron Deficiency Anemia
Patients should visit the following specialists if they have symptoms of Iron Deficiency Anemia:
Pediatricians
Family doctors
Gynecologists
Obstetricians
Internal medicine specialists
Hematologist
Gastroenterologist
Complications of Iron Deficiency Anemia if untreated
Yes, Iron Deficiency Anemia causes complications if it is not treated. Below is the list of complications and problems that may arise if Iron Deficiency Anemia is left untreated:
severe fatigue
pregnancy complications
heart problems
can be fatal
Procedures for Treatment of Iron Deficiency Anemia
The following procedures are used to treat Iron Deficiency Anemia:
Blood Transfusion: Blood is given to the patient through an intravenous (IV) line in one of patient's blood vessels
Blood and Marrow Stem Cell Transplant: Replaces patient's faulty stem cells with healthy ones from a donor
Surgery: If you have life-threatening or serious bleeding that causes anemia
Self-care for Iron Deficiency Anemia
The following self-care actions or lifestyle changes may help in the treatment or management of Iron Deficiency Anemia:
Eat a vitamin-rich diet: Take a diet that includes a number of vitamins and nutrients
Genetic counseling: Talk to a genetic counselor about the risks and pass on of the risks to children
Prevent malaria: Reduce exposure to mosquitoes
Alternative Medicine for Treatment of Iron Deficiency Anemia
The following alternate medicine and therapies are known to help in the treatment or management of Iron Deficiency Anemia:
Dietary Changes and Supplements: Change diet and take vitamin or iron supplements
Iron: Take iron from meats, vegetables or other foods
Time for Treatment of Iron Deficiency Anemia
While time-period of treatment for each patient may vary, below is the typical time-period for Iron Deficiency Anemia to resolve if treated properly under an expert supervision: