Note
You are in a sub-theme of the Anemia section. You can find general information on this topic under: Anemia
Introduction
Iron deficiency anaemia is the most common form of anaemia, accounting for over 50% of cases. Women are most frequently affected (about 80%). It occurs when the body needs more iron for blood formation than it can absorb and the iron storage is exhausted.
Symptoms of iron deficiency anemia
The clinical manifestation of iron deficiency anemia has three components: and consequences of iron deficiency
- Anemia signs such as paleness, performance slump, accelerated heartbeat (tachycardia), shortness of breath
- Signs due to iron deficiency: dryness and fragility of skin, hair and nails, inflammation in the mouth area (rhagades at the corner of the mouth, tongue burning)
- Signs due to blood loss such as tarry stools (black colored stools), blood in the urine (hematuria), coughing up blood (hemoptoe), or if menstruation is too strong and too frequent etc.
Therapy of iron deficiency anemia
The aim of iron deficiency therapy is to replenish the iron stores in the body in the long term. If the iron deficiency is already visible in the blood count in the form of anemia, the iron stores are already depleted and the iron deficiency is already further advanced. Basically, the supply of iron must be increased in the case of an iron deficiency.
On the one hand, this can be achieved by an increased intake of iron-containing food. Iron from animal products can be 3 times better absorbed by the body, vegetable iron on the other hand has a lower valence and can be absorbed less easily through the intestines. In general, however, only 10-15% of the iron absorbed through food is absorbed in the intestine.
If an iron deficiency anaemia is already pronounced, a therapy through dietary change alone is very lengthy and not very promising. Here, dietary supplements in the form of juices (herbal blood), tablets or capsules should be used. In order to increase the absorption in the intestine, the preparations should be taken with foods containing vitamin C, such as orange juice.
However, even here the therapy must be carried out for several months. The fastest and most effective form is the administration of iron infusions. By bypassing the gastrointestinal tract, the iron is 100% available to the body. However, intravenous iron therapy must be carried out and monitored by a doctor, as allergic reactions can occur. At the same time as iron is administered, the cause of the deficiency must always be sought and a possible underlying disease, such as bleeding or inflammatory bowel disease, must be treated.
