Lack of iron - symptoms

From iron deficiency affects 30% of the world's population, mainly due to inaccuracies in nutrition. Lack of iron is called iron deficiency anemia, or simply anemia, since anemia caused by iron deficiency in the blood is the most common form of anemia. Consider the symptoms of iron deficiency and the causes of such a large-scale phenomenon.

Causes of iron deficiency

As we have already said, the appearance of symptoms of a lack of iron in the body, above all, speaks of an unbalanced diet. Vegetarians are the first candidates for anemia, as the best source of iron is meat, and in plants it is even contained, but the form itself is much less digestible for the human body.

In addition, the causes of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) can be heavy blood loss, transitional age - the period of puberty, pregnancy and lactation, as well as menopause. In such cases, the body undergoes serious physiological changes that require an elevated iron content.

Symptoms of IDA

Symptoms of iron deficiency in women do not have special differences with a micronutrient deficiency in men, or in children. With the only difference is that in children with a shortage of any trace element, growth is suspended.

In medicine, the symptoms of iron deficiency in the blood are divided into two types. The first - associated with deficiency of the element in the blood, in hemoglobin , the latter - with iron deficiency in the synthesis of enzymes.

With a deficiency in hemoglobin (iron - a component of hemoglobin, acting as an oxygen carrier):

• dizziness;
• weakness, lack of strength;
• drowsiness;
• fainting.

With a deficiency in the formation of enzymes:

• dryness and peeling of the skin;
• cracks in the corners of the mouth;
• brittle, actively falling hair;
• urinary incontinence.

Anemia in Pregnancy

Moreover, the symptoms of iron deficiency during pregnancy are the same as with all other people. The problem is that many believe this is the "normal course of pregnancy," and even the appearance of cravings for incompatible products (vobla with marmalade) is taken for granted. But the desire to eat a can of pickles, one after another, is a blatant symptom of iron deficiency anemia, which can lead to defects in the development of the fetus, not to mention the depletion of iron stores in the body of the future mother.

In pregnancy, IDA is expected in most cases. If half a year before conception a woman smoked, drank alcohol, took antibiotics or just did not eat very competently, there is almost 100% guarantee that the pregnant women, her iron reserve in the body is not enough for two.