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  • Essay / Iron deficiency anemia: diagnosis and treatment

    Iron deficiency anemia occurs when there is a deficiency in hemoglobin levels due to a lack of iron in the body. Iron deficiency anemia is a very common type of anemia. The body requires a certain amount of iron and in case of iron deficiency one is not able to meet the necessary demand. Iron deficiency anemia can be caused by a diet low in iron or an inability of the body to absorb enough iron in the digestive system. Iron deficiency anemia can also be caused by chronic blood loss from many different conditions. Iron deficiency anemia can be treated by eating more fiber-rich foods or taking iron supplements. Iron deficiency anemia has various impacts on the body as well as different ways of treating it. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why violent video games should not be banned”?Get the original essay Iron deficiency anemia occurs when there is an insufficient amount of iron in the body (“Iron Deficiency Anemia”, 2016 ). This condition results in a lack of healthy and adequate red blood cells and as a result, the body is not able to produce an adequate amount of hemoglobin (“Iron Deficiency Anemia”, 2016). When the body does not have enough iron in the blood, it begins to use the iron it has stored (“Iron-Deficiency Anemia,” n.d.). Eventually, this iron will become depleted and lead to iron-deficiency anemia (“Iron-Deficiency Anemia,” n.d.). Some causes of iron deficiency anemia include blood loss, not getting enough iron in the diet, inability to absorb enough iron, or pregnancy (“Iron Deficiency Anemia,” 2016). Individuals can develop iron deficiency anemia when they lose blood, such as in women who have heavy periods or in someone with gastrointestinal bleeding (“Iron Deficiency Anemia,” 2016). In both situations, large amounts of blood are lost as well as iron in the blood (“Iron Deficiency Anemia”, 2016). A person who does not get enough iron in their diet can develop iron deficiency anemia because, over time, their body can become iron deficient (“Iron Deficiency Anemia,” 2016). The body needs certain amounts of iron and if iron is not consumed through food, it causes a deficiency (“Iron Deficiency Anemia”, 2016). When the body is unable to absorb consumed iron, such as in an intestinal disorder, iron deficiency can also develop (“Iron Deficiency Anemia,” 2016). Iron can be consumed in large quantities, but due to a disorder, insufficient iron enters the bloodstream, causing a deficiency (“Iron Deficiency Anemia,” 2016). Pregnancy can also cause iron deficiency anemia, as pregnant women need greater iron storage due to an increase in their blood volume (“Iron Deficiency Anemia,” 2016). If the demand for iron is not met, it will lead to deficiency (“Iron Deficiency Anemia”, 2016). Some people may have iron deficiency anemia without noticing it because the symptoms may be mild (“Iron Deficiency Anemia,” 2016). Once an individual becomes iron deficient, symptoms can increase and intensify (“Iron Deficiency Anemia,” 2016). There are many symptoms associated with iron deficiency anemia, including fatigue, weakness, cold hands or feet, dizziness, brittle nails, frequent infections, and many others (“Iron Deficiency Anemia,” 2016) . The most common symptom of anemia is fatigue, as the body is not able to supply enough oxygen to different parts of the body due toa lack of red blood cells (“Iron-Deficiency Anemia”, nd). Iron deficiency anemia cannot be diagnosed or treated on your own. It is therefore important to consult a doctor if some of these symptoms are present (“Iron deficiency anemia”, 2016). Iron deficiency anemia can be diagnosed by a doctor through physical exams. exams, medical history review and blood tests (“Iron Deficiency Anemia”, 2016). The first diagnostic test that is usually used to diagnose iron deficiency anemia is a complete blood count (“Iron-Deficiency Anemia,” n.d.). A complete blood count checks hemoglobin and hematocrit levels (“Iron-Deficiency Anemia,” n.d.). If the complete blood count shows low levels of hemoglobin or hematocrit, this is a sign of anemia (“Iron-Deficiency Anemia,” n.d.). A complete blood count also checks for abnormal amounts of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets in the blood (“Iron-Deficiency Anemia,” n.d.). Another test that can be done to diagnose iron deficiency anemia is the reticulocyte count (“Iron-Deficiency Anemia,” n.d.). This test will show whether or not your bone marrow is producing red blood cells at a normal rate (“Iron-Deficiency Anemia,” n.d.). Other diagnostic tests are performed, including a peripheral smear and iron level tests (“Iron-Deficiency Anemia,” n.d.). A peripheral smear examines the size of red blood cells under a microscope to see if they are smaller than normal, which indicates iron-deficiency anemia (“Iron-Deficiency Anemia,” n.d.). Iron level tests include a serum iron test that measures the amount of iron in the blood (“Iron-Deficiency Anemia,” n.d.). In order to treat iron deficiency anemia, iron stores must be increased to normal levels (“Iron-Deficiency Anemia,” n.d.). Deficiency anemia”, nd). Depending on the severity of the anemia, treatments may vary (“Iron-Deficiency Anemia,” nd). Iron-deficiency anemia is usually due to a lack of iron in the diet or an inability to absorb enough iron into the bloodstream (“Iron-Deficiency Anemia,” n.d.). In these two cases, iron supplementation is used in combination with a diet rich in fiber (“Iron-Deficiency Anemia”, nd). After taking the iron supplement pills, people tend to feel better within a few days, although they will need to take the supplement pills for several months in order to replenish their iron stores ("Iron-Deficiency Anemia"). », nd). Taking large amounts of supplements can be dangerous, so it is important to consult a doctor for the correct dosage (“Iron-Deficiency Anemia,” n.d.). Consuming more vitamin C can also help the body absorb more iron (“Iron-Deficiency Anemia,” n.d.). Iron supplements can be harmful if taken in large amounts, and they can also cause side effects such as constipation (“Iron-Deficiency Anemia,” n.d.). If the iron deficiency anemia is more serious, for example if the iron deficiency anemia is caused by blood. If lost, doctors may administer a blood transfusion to quickly correct the anemia before starting iron supplement pills and consuming more iron (“Iron-Deficiency Anemia,” n.d.). Blood transfusions treat anemia immediately, but it is only a short-term treatment (“Iron-Deficiency Anemia,” n.d.). Blood transfusions are a safe method of treatment, but careful blood matching is necessary (“Iron-Deficiency Anemia,” n.d.). Iron therapy may also be used if long-term iron is needed and supplements cannot be taken orally (“Iron-Deficiency Anemia,” n.d.)...