Iron deficiency anemia occurs when the body doesn’t have enough iron. Iron is a necessary component of hemoglobin. Red blood cells contain hemoglobin, this substance is extremely important because it carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. Iron is also essential to preserve healthy cells, hair, skin and nails. At first, iron deficiency anemia can be so mild that it can be unnoticed. As the body becomes more iron deficient and anemia becomes worse, the signs and symptoms increase. According to the Mayo Clinic, “Iron deficiency anemia signs and symptoms may include: extreme fatigue, weakness, pale skin, chest pain, fast heartbeat or shortness of breath, headache, dizziness or lightheadedness, cold hands and feet, inflammation
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These complications can affect your heart, lungs, and immune system. The heart must work harder to provide enough oxygen to the brain and other internal organs. Your heart must pump more blood to compensate for the lack of oxygen carried in your blood when you're anemic. This can lead to an enlarged heart or heart failure. Our body’s natural immune response becomes impaired by a lack of iron, increasing susceptibility to infections. In infants and children, severe iron deficiency can lead to delayed growth and development. A low iron level can cause decreased attention span, reduced alertness, and learning problems in children. A low iron level can cause the body to absorb too much …show more content…
The amount of iron a person needs each day depends on age, gender, and health. An inability to absorb iron can be brought on by intestinal disorders that do not allow the intestines to absorb nutrients from digested food or if the small intestines has been surgically removed or bypassed. During pregnancy the volume of blood in the body increases to adequately supply hemoglobin to the mother as well as the growing baby. In pregnant women, severe iron deficiency anemia has been linked to premature births and low birth weight babies. When blood is leaving the body, whether from heavy menstruation, hiatal hernias, colon polyps, or gastrointestinal bleeds, these can cause iron deficient
These complications can affect your heart, lungs, and immune system. The heart must work harder to provide enough oxygen to the brain and other internal organs. Your heart must pump more blood to compensate for the lack of oxygen carried in your blood when you're anemic. This can lead to an enlarged heart or heart failure. Our body’s natural immune response becomes impaired by a lack of iron, increasing susceptibility to infections. In infants and children, severe iron deficiency can lead to delayed growth and development. A low iron level can cause decreased attention span, reduced alertness, and learning problems in children. A low iron level can cause the body to absorb too much …show more content…
The amount of iron a person needs each day depends on age, gender, and health. An inability to absorb iron can be brought on by intestinal disorders that do not allow the intestines to absorb nutrients from digested food or if the small intestines has been surgically removed or bypassed. During pregnancy the volume of blood in the body increases to adequately supply hemoglobin to the mother as well as the growing baby. In pregnant women, severe iron deficiency anemia has been linked to premature births and low birth weight babies. When blood is leaving the body, whether from heavy menstruation, hiatal hernias, colon polyps, or gastrointestinal bleeds, these can cause iron deficient