Symptoms of a lack of iron in the body

Iron deficiency in the human body is a fairly common problem not only in poor countries, but also in advanced countries. Its content in the body of a healthy person is approximately 4.5 g. Iron is responsible for the level of hemoglobin. He, in turn, is responsible for the delivery of oxygen to the tissues.

Iron deficiency can occur as a result of heavy menstruation, excessive use of drugs containing aspirin, strenuous physical exertion, as well as a concomitant disease of other chronic human diseases.

How to diagnose iron deficiency

Iron deficiency is accompanied by symptoms such as constant drowsiness, fatigue, constant low blood pressure, decreased concentration, irritability. Also, with anemia, the risk of catching colds increases. Of course, such symptoms can occur in healthy people, but if they become chronic, then most likely you have anemia, and it is worth seeing a doctor.

In addition to the above symptoms, the patient may experience shortness of breath, palpitations, lower back pain, headaches, brittle hair and nails, dry skin. Also, hands and feet may be constantly freezing. If you notice these signs, then go to the clinic. The doctor will prescribe tests for you, according to which he will determine the degree of the problem and prescribe the appropriate treatment.

To identify the problem, it is enough to pass a general blood test. However, if there are concomitant chronic diseases, then additional examinations will be required.

Also, if you smoke, be sure to inform your doctor. In smokers, hemoglobin is always normal. A complete examination will be required to detect iron deficiency.

Consequences of iron deficiency

The barrier functions of the mucous membranes become very weakened. As a result, a person suffering from iron deficiency often suffers from infectious diseases. Also, the disease weakens the immune system, which further exacerbates the situation.

An equally important consequence of iron deficiency is hypotension, shortness of breath, and heart palpitations. The disease can lead to various disorders of the liver.

Lack of iron in the blood of pregnant women can lead to fetal development disorders. It is very dangerous, therefore, anemia is treated without fail, immediately after its detection.

How to Replenish Iron Deficiency

To bring the iron content back to normal, you first need to balance your diet. The menu should include products containing iron and other useful elements. All trace elements from food are absorbed better if the human body has a sufficient content of vitamin C. Foods containing a large amount of iron include liver, walnuts, pomegranate, apples, black currant.

Secondly, if a balanced diet did not help to compensate for the iron deficiency, then you can purchase special drugs or food supplements at the pharmacy. However, such means, if taken incorrectly, can harm the body. An excess of iron can lead to serious damage to the liver and kidneys. You need to strictly adhere to the instructions and take them only as directed by a doctor. As a rule, in addition to the high iron content, they contain other elements that are no less important for the normal functioning of the human body. In the presence of other chronic diseases, taking iron-containing drugs can only aggravate the situation, so it is important to get tested before prescribing treatment.

Iron in food

The richest foods in iron are organ meats and red meat. They contain iron that is easily absorbed. Products such as lamb, beef, liver, kidneys, oysters, mussels, shrimp contain a lot of iron, so they must be included in the patient's diet.

Plant foods are a good source of iron. The highest content of this element is dried porcini mushrooms. However, they contain iron that is poorly absorbed by the body. The leaders also include legumes: soybeans, beans, peas, lentils, spinach, potatoes, broccoli, apples, peaches, bananas, blueberries, raspberries, black currants. To replenish the iron content in the body, you need to include buckwheat, rye bread, oatmeal, walnuts, dried apricots, almonds in your diet.

In addition to including the "right" foods in the diet, you need to combine them correctly. For example, iron is better absorbed not only with vitamin C, but also with vitamin B12, folic acid. Therefore, it would be nice to combine bananas and apples with an orange and use them as a salad.

Iron is poorly absorbed in combination with trace elements such as calcium, oxalic acid. Therefore, it is important to share the intake of iron-containing foods with milk, coffee, tea. It is not for nothing that experts recommend drinking liquid at least half an hour after eating.

Prevention of iron deficiency

The main preventive measure for iron deficiency is to consume as many iron-containing foods as possible. It is also a good idea to include in your diet foods containing ascorbic acid, which will help the gland to absorb. Avoiding coffee will keep your iron levels normal.

Don't forget about the water regime. You must drink enough liquid, preferably water.

Iron deficiency, like other diseases, can be stopped and cured in time. To do this, at the slightest sign, consult a doctor. Do not wait until complications appear and it will be more difficult to recover. Be healthy!