Glandular anemia causes. Iron deficiency anemia in children and adults - symptoms and treatment

Constant overwork, stress, rare walks and no proper nutrition negatively affect women's health.

The symptoms of many diseases are mistaken for ordinary fatigue and they do not go to see a doctor. Anemia is a pathology that can easily be confused with overwork.

We will talk about the symptoms and external signs, treatment, nutrition, consequences of iron deficiency and other types of anemia in adult women, during pregnancy, breastfeeding, in elderly ladies over 50 years of age.

Kinds

The development of the disease is determined in the blood.

– a red protein found in red blood cells. It performs the most important function - it delivers oxygen to the internal organs, ensuring their functioning.

Anemia occurs when blood loss or failures in the formation of red blood cells. Most often, anemia occurs in children and adult women of reproductive age.

In medicine, there are 6 types of anemia:

• deficient (most often iron deficiency);
• posthemorrhagic;
• hypoplastic;
• hemolytic;
• folate deficiency;
• B12 deficiency.

All types have common symptoms:

• dyspnea;
• pallor;
• weakness;
• menstrual irregularities;
• decreased performance;
• cardiopalmus.

Hemoglobin in the blood decreases in all manifestations of anemia, but a decrease in the number of red blood cells does not always occur.

Anemia is not an independent disease, this is the result of pathology of the processes of the circulatory system. It is necessary to undergo tests so that the doctor determines its type and prescribes treatment.

Severity, blood counts

Causes

You need to know how anemia manifests itself in women, because the symptoms differ depending on the type of pathology. Their diversity is reflected in the table:

Types of anemia	Symptoms and signs	Peculiarities
Posthemorrhagic	Pale skin, cold sweat, low body temperature, vomiting, rapid heartbeat, distortion of taste, craving for any odors or, conversely, their aversion, brittle hair and nails, dry skin, digestive disorders	It can be acute when there is a large loss of blood and chronic when the body systematically loses a small amount of it.
Iron deficiency	There is difficulty breathing, migraines, tinnitus, drowsiness, loss of appetite, bleeding gums, muscle weakness; external manifestations - peeling of the skin, separation and deformation of the nail plates, pallor of the face, bruises under the eyes. In rare cases, it can lead to fainting	Pathology occurs when there is iron deficiency in the body. This is the most common type of anemia. Most often it occurs during pregnancy and the postpartum period.
Hypoplastic	Ulcers appear in the nose, mouth, on the skin, fainting, the skin is easily injured	Characterized by cell death in the bone marrow
Hemolytic	Jaundice, enlarged liver, spleen, dark urine and feces, chills	Occurs due to the release of a large amount into the blood. May be hereditary or acquired. Appears due to a violation of the synthesis of red blood cells - their destruction occurs faster than new ones are formed
B12 deficiency	Poor memory, impaired coordination of movements, numbness of the limbs, increased acidity in the stomach, difficulty swallowing, yellowish skin tone	Associated with a lack of vitamin B12 in the body
Folate deficiency	Functioning is impaired gastrointestinal tract	Occurs when there is a shortage folic acid in a woman’s diet or poor absorption of this vitamin

Diagnostic methods, tests

If you feel unwell need to see a therapist. A general blood test will also help identify pathology.

The most common anemia associated with. If there is a suspicion of another type, an examination of the gastrointestinal tract may be required, to which your attending physician will refer you.

A blood test will show any deviations from the norm. In the presence of anemia, red blood cells in the blood will be smaller in size and less colored than in a healthy person.

The doctor will check your pulse and measure your blood pressure, will assess the condition of the skin. After examination and evaluation of tests, treatment is prescribed.

The “Live Healthy!” program will tell you what anemia is and how to treat it:

Why it is dangerous: consequences and complications

What does anemia lead to and what is dangerous for a woman? Possible consequences and complications caused by anemia:

1. Decreased immunity. It is more difficult for the body to fight viruses. As a result, the woman often gets sick.
2. Sleep disorders. Sleepless nights have a bad effect on well-being and performance.
3. The mucous membranes become susceptible and vulnerable, which leads to inflammation and infections.
4. Women are more susceptible to stress, become distracted and vulnerable.
5. Leads to disruption of the cardiovascular system.
6. Prolonged anemia leads to edema and liver disease.
7. The process of absorption of nutrients is disrupted, which leads to diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
8. With anemia, oxygen starvation occurs. This is harmful to the brain.
9. It takes away beauty - the skin becomes sluggish, dry, hair becomes brittle, dull, nails peel.
10. In severe cases, anemia leads to fainting, fever,...

How and what to treat: iron supplements, vitamins

For mild forms of anemia, it is enough to review the diet: include foods rich in iron and B vitamins.

If the diet is not enough, the specialist will prescribe medications that replenish the deficiency of necessary substances.

There is no need to self-medicate - this can make you feel worse. In cases where therapy does not produce results, the doctor prescribes medications containing hormones.

The age of the woman suffering from anemia is taken into account. If the disease is associated with menopause, when consultation with a therapist, gynecologist, or endocrinologist is necessary.

Rules for taking iron supplements for the treatment of iron deficiency anemia in women:

• taking tablets is more effective than intramuscular injections, since iron is better absorbed if it passes through the intestinal tract;
• the optimal dose of pure iron is 80-160 mg - exceeding the dose is unacceptable;
• taking it in tablet form is more effective than taking it in liquid form;
• preparations contain divalent or trivalent iron: in the first case, vitamin C promotes good absorption, in the second - amino acids;
• use drugs coated with a protective coating that will protect the mucous membrane of the esophagus and stomach from irritation.

The drugs Sorbifer Durules and Tardiferon are prescribed for ferrous iron. They are consumed twice a day, 30 minutes before meals, with a glass of water.

Ferric iron preparations– Ferrum Lek, Biofer – used during or after meals.

Injections are prescribed to patients with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract with large blood losses.

For complex forms of anemia - posthemorrhagic, hemolytic, hypoplastic - the following are prescribed:

• glucocorticosteroids;
• anabolic steroid;
• androgens;
• cytostatics;
• erythropoietin preparations.

Uncontrolled treatment is unacceptable. The dosage is prescribed by the doctor based on the results of a blood test and diagnostics by specialists.

To ensure that iron supplements are absorbed faster, vitamins are prescribed:

• ascorbic acid;
• vitamin B6;
• folic acid.

In rare cases, the cause of anemia is lack of copper or zinc.

Together with vitamins, taking mineral complexes (your doctor will tell you their names) helps relieve the symptoms of anemia in women and helps to quickly cope with oxygen starvation.

For posthemorrhagic anemia, blood or blood substitutes are transfused. Prescribe iron and vitamins until hemoglobin is completely restored.

Folk remedies

At alarming symptoms You cannot self-medicate, because... anemia can be a sign of serious illness, including malignant tumors.

Folk remedies relieve symptoms and increase hemoglobin levels in the blood, but for some forms of anemia, home treatment will not work.

If anemia is associated with a lack of iron, natural formulations will give a positive effect without side effects for the body.

Traditional methods of treatment:

strawberry infusion.

A handful of dry berries needs to be filled with 200 ml boiled water, close the lid and leave for 3-4 hours.

Use the infusion once a day;

Garlic will help overcome weakness due to anemia. A tincture is made from it.

To prepare, pour 300 g of peeled garlic with a 96% alcohol solution and place the mixture in a bottle. Leave the resulting mixture for 3 weeks. Take 3 times a day, 20 drops dissolved in 100 ml of milk;

• Rose hips are rich in vitamin C, therefore, for anemia it is useful to drink a decoction of its fruits. This will help the iron deficiency medications be absorbed. 2 tsp. The fruits should be brewed with a glass of boiling water and the decoction should be drunk after meals 3 times a day;

oat groats. A decoction is prepared from it. To do this, take 1 liter of water and a glass of cereal. Boil the mixture until the consistency of liquid jelly.

The resulting broth is filtered through cheesecloth, 2 cups of milk, 4 tsp. honey, boil. The decoction should be consumed during the day in 2-3 doses.

What to eat: nutrition and diet

A proper diet plays an important role in the treatment of pathology. Beef will help restore strength: This meat is a record holder for the content of nutrients during oxygen starvation.

It is necessary to introduce protein-rich foods into your diet:

• veal;
• liver;
• dairy products;
• fish;
• eggs;
• butter and vegetable oils.

The porridges included in the menu for iron deficiency anemia in women, especially buckwheat, apples, honey, and dried fruits, will help raise hemoglobin levels.

But it’s better to avoid fatty foods and processed foods. They will only bring harm.

Coffee lovers need to limit the number of cups they drink per day, because it flushes vitamins and minerals from the body.

If a woman has problems with the gastrointestinal tract, the doctor may prescribe a diet that excludes certain foods.

Course duration

The treatment regimen depends on age. Women of reproductive age most often develop anemia during pregnancy and lactation.

During the period, in old age, the doctor studies the manifestations of anemia in detail, since it is often associated with specific diseases.

The duration of treatment depends on the form and severity of anemia and age. Older women require more time for treatment.

Age-related changes slow down metabolic processes in the body, so the disease is difficult to cope with.

After 60 years, the majority have a whole bunch of concomitant diseases, which complicates the positive dynamics of therapy.

During pregnancy and breastfeeding

When a pregnant woman registers at the clinic, she is prescribed a series of tests. If detected reduced level hemoglobin, to the expectant mother Prescribe iron supplements and diet.

Timely correction and therapy helps to avoid complications in the second half of pregnancy.

Oxygen starvation affects not only the woman’s condition, but also the development of the fetus and placenta. It is important to follow your doctor's recommendations.

Even mild anemia in women increases the risk of fetal hypoxia leading to developmental disorders nervous system baby. Pathology can cause weak labor.

If a woman loses a lot of blood during childbirth, she is given a transfusion. Then hemoglobin can be raised quickly. Iron injections are less effective.

To avoid anemia while breastfeeding, a woman should eat regularly and properly. Upon discharge from the maternity hospital, they give you a list of products necessary for consumption during lactation.

In situations where it is necessary to increase hemoglobin, iron-containing drugs are prescribed. Do not exceed the dosage prescribed by a specialist in order to avoid irreversible consequences in the infant.

Prevention measures

The main factors that reduce the risk of anemia are:– proper nutrition, regular walks in the fresh air. Compliance with preventive measures is especially important for women with heavy, prolonged menstruation.

The intake of vitamins from food plays an important role. Doctors recommend eating 500 g of vegetables and fruits daily. This reduces the risk of anemia and other diseases.

At risk are pregnant women and donors. For prevention, they are often prescribed iron supplements and vitamin complexes.

Timely diagnosis and treatment of anemia will relieve unpleasant symptoms. The main thing is to follow the doctor’s recommendations and review your diet.

Then you can defeat anemia and continue to enjoy life.

The ICD code for chronic iron deficiency anemia is D50.

Lack of iron can cause many different problems, ranging from fatigue and intense hair loss to anemia. Many people are deficient in this microelement without even knowing it. So, how can you recognize chronic iron deficiency anemia? How can you deal with it? We'll talk about all this further.

Lack of iron in the body: what is it?

About seventy percent of all anemias occur in humans due to iron deficiency. Due to a small amount of this microelement, hemoglobin molecules cease to be produced. As a result, a person's blood carries less oxygen. Iron deficiency in tissues leads to problems with hair, skin, heart, and also with digestion.

According to medical statistics, chronic iron deficiency anemia affects almost two billion people. And a hidden deficiency of this element is found in three billion. Most often, anemia occurs in women during periods of fertility, and also in pregnant women and adolescents.

Symptoms of the chronic form

Even before chronic iron deficiency anemia occurs, people develop specific symptoms. Mainly the hair, intestines, skin and heart muscle are affected along with the nervous system. If you arrange the symptoms of iron deficiency from the most common to the rarer, you will get the following list:

• Having dry skin and brittle, layered nails.
• Split ends of hair along with slow growth.
• The presence of fatigue, asthenia and weakness, and at the same time pallor.
• Taste disturbances along with the desire to eat chalk, paint, and so on.
• Having a strange predilection for smells.

Against the background of a decrease in hemoglobin, signs of oxygen deficiency are observed in the form of dizziness and fainting. Palpitations with tinnitus are often a concern in chronic iron deficiency anemia.

Severity and stage

The deficiency of such an important microelement increases gradually, passing through several stages. The first stage is called prelatent. At this stage, much more iron is consumed than enters the body, although there are still sufficient reserves of it in the tissues. Such a deficiency can be easily corrected by changing your diet. You can use all kinds of dietary supplements along with special medical nutrition. Such prevention will certainly help restore the supply of microelements and prevent the development of anemia.

If the deficiency is not eliminated, iron reserves are gradually depleted. Against this background, the hemoglobin level does not change, but specific symptoms may appear. When conducting a study, a decrease in transferrin and ferritin can be detected. If there is a latent deficiency, it is necessary to reconsider your diet and use special dietary supplements along with vitamin complexes.

If hidden flaw If iron levels are not corrected, chronic anemia develops. Mild severity, not to mention moderate and severe, necessarily requires taking appropriate medications. Therapy usually lasts as long as the body needs iron.

Chronic iron deficiency anemia of mild severity is often diagnosed. This is a condition when the hemoglobin level is above 90 grams per liter.

Typically, with mild chronic iron deficiency anemia, there are no symptoms, and the disease can only be determined based on the results of a laboratory blood test.

Therapy most often consists of following a proper diet to normalize hemoglobin levels. The basis of the recovery diet includes foods high in iron and B vitamins.

Chronic iron deficiency anemia of moderate severity has more pronounced symptoms. Against this background, hemoglobin is 70-89 grams per liter. In this case, therapy should be started immediately according to the regimen prescribed by the specialist.

There is also chronic iron deficiency. The hemoglobin level in this case is less than 70 grams per liter. Treatment of this form of the disease is carried out in a hospital setting.

Chronic posthemorrhagic iron deficiency anemia is a complex of clinical and hematological changes that arose due to acute or chronic blood loss. Main symptoms: pallor, shortness of breath, darkening of the eyes, dizziness, hypothermia, arterial hypotension. In severe cases - lethargy, shock, loss of consciousness. Pathology is diagnosed according to the clinical picture and general blood test. In order to establish the source of bleeding, instrumental studies are performed. With the development of this disease, transfusion and symptomatic therapy is necessary.

General information

Diagnosis of anemia is based mainly on information obtained during laboratory tests. First of all, the results with determining the degree of hemoglobin concentration are important. According to the standards, the criterion for the onset of anemia in children is a decrease in hemoglobin concentration of less than 110 grams per liter, for women less than 120, and for men less than 130.

The most commonly encountered in therapeutic practice is mild chronic iron deficiency anemia, which is a painful condition caused by impaired hemoglobin synthesis due to acute iron deficiency.

According to statistics, about two billion people in the world suffer from iron deficiency in one form or another, most of them are children and women. The incidence of mild and moderate chronic iron deficiency anemia in pregnant women in the world ranges from twenty to fifty percent. And in developing countries this figure reaches 75 percent.

Features of the process of iron metabolism in the human body

Men typically consume about 18 milligrams of iron per day through food, but only 1 milligram is absorbed. That is, iron is lost in urine, sweat, and so on.

Women receive 12 milligrams per day with food, and a maximum of 1 milligram is absorbed. But the fact is that women additionally lose iron during the menstrual cycle, and also due to pregnancy.

With an increased need for iron, no more than 2 milligrams can be absorbed from food. Thus, if the body’s loss of iron is more than 2 milligrams per day, anemia develops. Next, let's talk about the main reasons that can affect the decrease in the amount of iron in the human body.

Causes of chronic iron deficiency anemia

The main reasons for the development of this pathology include the following factors:

• Presence of nutritional deficiency. At the same time, there is a low intake of iron from food, due to a lack of meat products (for example, as a result of fasting or vegetarianism). This diet does not allow a person to replenish iron losses that occur due to the destruction of red blood cells.
• Iron absorption failure. This can develop in patients with enteritis of various origins, and in addition, against the background of malabsorption syndrome, postoperative condition, and this is sometimes associated with the use of medicines, which inhibit iron absorption.
• Having an increased need for iron. As a rule, this is due to pregnancy and intensive growth during puberty.
• Secondary chronic iron deficiency anemia often develops due to digestive diseases, for example, reflux esophagitis, peptic ulcer, tumor and so on. Blood loss is also caused by uterine ailments, for example, heavy menstruation. Kidney, nasal and urolithiasis also often lead to blood loss, due to which hemoglobin is lost. The most common is posthemorrhagic anemia, which occurs due to blood loss occurring in the digestive system. Such blood loss is the most common cause of iron deficiency in men and the second most common cause in women.
• Failure of iron transport in the presence of hypoproteinemia of various origins. The main mechanism for the development of anemia is a lack of iron in the body, which is the main building material to build molecules of the iron-containing part, which is called heme.

Most common clinical manifestations

The severity of symptoms in chronic anemia can vary and depends on the rate of blood loss, age and gender of the patient. The severity of the condition is due to tissue iron deficiency. The appearance of anemic syndrome is caused by tissue hypoxia; its manifestation is universal for all types of anemia:

• The occurrence of weakness and fatigue.
• The appearance of pallor of the skin and mucous membranes.
• The occurrence of headache and pulsation in the temples.
• The presence of dizziness and fainting.
• The appearance of shortness of breath and palpitations during habitual physical activity.
• Increased anginal pain due to heart problems.
• Decreased general tolerance to physical activity.
• The emergence of resistance to treatment with vasodilators.

It may be caused by tissue iron deficiency; its main manifestations are the following symptoms:

• The presence of dry skin, cracks on the surface of the arms, and also on the legs and in the corners of the mouth, when the patient is diagnosed with so-called angular stomatitis.
• The presence of glossitis, accompanied by atrophy of the papillae, pain and redness of the tongue.
• The occurrence of brittleness, thinning and splitting of nails.
• The presence of hair loss in combination with early graying.
• The presence of taste perversion when patients eat chalk, clay, minced meat, sand, and the like.
• Presence of addiction to unusual odors, for example, to kerosene, fuel oil, gasoline, acetone, mothballs, car exhaust fumes, which completely disappears after taking iron supplements.
• The presence of dysphagia, that is, difficulty swallowing solid food.

The presence of secondary immunodeficiency syndrome is characterized by a tendency to frequent relapses of infectious and inflammatory diseases. This syndrome includes:

• The presence of damage to the digestive system in the form of glossitis, dysphagia, decreased acid-forming functions of the stomach, atrophic gastritis, bloating, constipation and diarrhea.
• Presence of damage to the hepatobiliary system.
• The presence of pathological changes in the cardiac system, which is manifested by the occurrence of shortness of breath, tachycardia, cardialgia, swelling in the legs, anginal pain, hypotension, expansion of the boundaries of the heart, and so on.
• The presence of damage to the nervous system, which is manifested by a decrease in memory and ability to concentrate.
• The presence of damage to the muscular frame, which is manifested by muscle weakness under normal loads, and in addition, mixed urinary incontinence and the like.

The skin of patients suffering from chronic anemia is usually pale, but not icteric. As for the liver, spleen and peripheral lymph nodes, they are not enlarged. Sometimes the skin may even acquire a bluish tint. Such patients tan very poorly in the sun, and girls, as a rule, are infantile and often have menstrual cycle disorders, ranging from amenorrhea to the presence of heavy menstruation.

Conducting laboratory diagnostics

The main criteria for determining chronic iron deficiency anemia in a patient are:

• The presence of a low color index.
• Presence of erythrocyte hypochromia and microcytosis.
• Decreased serum iron levels.
• Increased serum iron-binding function and decreased ferritin levels.

After determining whether the patient has anemia and the level of its severity, it is necessary to find out the causes and source of bleeding. To do this, a whole series of various studies should be carried out. The main diagnostic methods include:

• Conducting an endoscopic examination of the digestive system. As a rule, as part of such a diagnosis, a colonoscopy is performed, possibly with a biopsy.
• Testing feces for occult blood.
• Conducting gynecological manual and ultrasound examinations in women.
• Carrying out a study of the urinary system. In this case, patients undergo a urine test, ultrasound examination of the kidneys, and in addition, cystoscopy.
• Conducting an X-ray examination of the chest organs.
• Performing a study of sputum and bronchial lavage water.

In the absence of data that would indicate an obvious erosive and ulcerative process, it is necessary to conduct a detailed oncological search.

Carrying out treatment

The goals of treatment for chronic anemia are:

• Complete elimination of the reasons that caused it. To do this, first of all, the source of bleeding is identified and eliminated, restoring the processes of iron absorption.
• Replenishing iron deficiency.
• Prevention of the development of dystrophic changes internal organs along with maintaining their full functional capacity.

Diet as part of treatment

It is impossible to eliminate chronic iron deficiency anemia (ICD-10 code - D50) through diet alone, since the absorption of iron from foods is no more than 2 milligrams per day. But from medications it can be absorbed twenty times more. But, nevertheless, patients with anemia are recommended products that contain a sufficient amount of easily absorbed protein and, accordingly, iron.

Meat products contain iron, which is part of heme; it is absorbed by 25 percent. The iron contained in hemosiderin (found in liver, eggs and fish) is absorbed by fifteen percent. And iron from products of plant origin (be it soy along with spinach, dill, lettuce, apricots, prunes) is absorbed by five percent. Eating large amounts of pomegranates, apples, carrots and beets is not justified, since their consumption results in low iron absorption.

People who eat meat get much more iron than vegetarians. Vegetarians develop a serious iron deficiency over time, since vegetables and grains contain components that interfere with the absorption of such an important element, in particular phosphates.

It should be noted that a diet that is balanced and complete in its main components only makes it possible to cover the physiological need of the human body for iron, but does not eliminate its deficiency, and it should be considered as one of the auxiliary components of treatment.

Blood transfusion for chronic iron deficiency anemia (according to ICD-10, the disease is coded D50) is performed on patients only for health reasons, and the indication is not the hemoglobin level, but the general condition of the patient and hemodynamics. Basically, they resort to blood transfusion (transfusion of red blood cells) if hemoglobin drops below 40 grams per liter.

Drug therapy

Such treatment of chronic iron deficiency anemia is carried out only with iron preparations, mostly all of them are oral, less often parenteral, they are used for a long time, under the control of a blood test. It is worth noting that the rate of recovery of blood counts does not depend in any way on the route of drug administration. The main principles of treatment of iron deficiency anemia with oral iron supplements include:

• Prescribing medications with sufficient ferrous iron content.
• When using new forms, it is necessary to focus on average therapeutic doses.
• The administration of iron together with substances that enhance their absorption, we are talking about ascorbic and succinic acid.
• It is necessary to avoid parallel intake of substances that reduce absorption, we are talking about antacids, tannin, oxalates, and so on.
• The use of drugs that do not contain vitamin components, especially B 12.
• Convenient dosage regimen: one to two times a day.
• The presence of good bioavailability, absorption and tolerability of iron preparations.
• A sufficient duration of therapy is at least eight weeks until hemoglobin is completely normalized.
• Continue taking the medication at half the dose for four weeks after achieving normalization of hemoglobin levels.
• It is advisable to prescribe short monthly courses of treatment from three to five days in average therapeutic doses to patients with polymenorrhagia.

The criterion for the effectiveness of therapy for chronic iron deficiency anemia (ICD-10 code - D50) with iron preparations is a fivefold increase in reticulocytes on the tenth day from the start of treatment. Iron supplements are classified into the following categories:

• Ionic, which are a salt or polysaccharide compound.
• Nonionic compounds that consist of a hydroxide polymaltose complex.

Ferrous sulfate, which is included in combined and monocomponent preparations, is well absorbed (usually by ten percent) and is easily tolerated by patients. Chloride compounds may be less absorbed and have undesirable effects, namely a metallic taste in the mouth, darkening of the teeth and gums, and in addition, dyspepsia.

Currently, doctors prefer drugs that contain divalent iron (the fact is that it is better absorbed compared to trivalent drugs); their daily dosage is about 300 milligrams. In no case should you prescribe more than this amount per day, since its absorption does not increase at all.

This is confirmed by case histories of chronic iron deficiency anemia.

It should also be taken into account that a number of substances contained in food products, for example, phosphoric acid along with salt, calcium, phytin and tannin, inhibit the absorption of iron. A similar effect is noted with the simultaneous use of divalent iron, which is found in some medicines, for example, in “Almagel”.

Indications for parenteral administration of iron drugs

Indications for this in chronic iron deficiency anemia are the following:

• Presence of intestinal malabsorption.
• The presence of absolute intolerance to oral preparations with iron.
• The need for rapid iron saturation (due to emergency surgery).
• Therapy with Erythropoietin, when the need for iron increases sharply for a short time.

At parenteral administration in case of an incorrect diagnosis, the development of multiple organ failure and hemosiderosis is likely. More than 100 milligrams per day should not be used parenterally.

Prevention of chronic posthemorrhagic iron deficiency anemia should be carried out if there is hidden signs iron deficiency or risk factors for its development. Hemoglobin testing, as well as serum iron, should be performed at least once a year, and in the case of a clinical manifestation, tests should be taken as necessary for the following categories of patients:

• Donors, especially women who regularly donate blood.
• Pregnant women, especially those with frequent pregnancies.
• Women who suffer from long and heavy menstruation.
• Premature babies and those born from multiple pregnancies.
• For girls at puberty, and also during rapid growth, enhanced by sports and in case of restriction of meat products in the diet.
• Persons with constant and difficult to eliminate blood loss (gastric, intestinal, nasal, uterine and hemorrhoidal).
• Patients who take non-steroidal drugs for a long time.
• Persons with low material income.

What is a secondary disease?

Chronic iron deficiency anemia (ICD - D50), which occurs against the background of concomitant diseases, is called secondary. Hemoglobin is one of the most important proteins that supports the human body. It is present in red blood cells and is responsible for transporting oxygen. That is, during inhalation, oxygen penetrates into the lungs, and protein disassembles it into molecules, delivering it to all organs. This is why hemoglobin is so valuable. Without it, oxygen simply will not spread throughout the body, which will ultimately lead to the failure of all organs and systems.

Secondary anemia is not an independent disease. It is mainly a consequence of one or another disease. In this regard, when low hemoglobin is detected, it is necessary to undergo detailed diagnostics in order to identify its true causes and prescribe treatment. The protein hemoglobin is produced in red blood cells, and they depend on the total amount of iron in the human body.

Thus, if iron falls, then under the influence of certain factors hemoglobin also decreases. If we are talking about primary anemia, then a course of iron is prescribed with a certain diet. After a few weeks, the indicators are usually restored. And with a secondary form of pathology, it is necessary to understand the causes of its occurrence, and then begin treatment. At the same time, iron alone will not be able to restore the amount of protein, because initially it is necessary to overcome the main factor in reducing hemoglobin.

Iron deficiency anemia is a pathological condition characterized by a decrease in the amount of hemoglobin and red blood cells due to a lack of iron in the body, as well as trophic disorders (disorders of tissue structure). Hemoglobin is an iron-containing protein in the blood, the main function of which is to transport oxygen from the lungs to tissues, and from tissues to the lungs it transports carbon dioxide.

Symptoms of iron deficiency anemia

All symptoms of iron deficiency anemia are combined into two syndromes (a stable set of symptoms that arise for a single reason).

Anemic syndrome:

• general weakness;
• decreased performance;
• dizziness;
• fainting (blurred consciousness);
• noise in ears;
• flashing “flies” before the eyes;
• shortness of breath (rapid breathing) and rapid heartbeat with little physical activity.

Sideropenic syndrome.

• Damage to the epithelium (tissues covering the entire body and lining hollow organs) of any location.
  • Damage to the epithelium of the gastrointestinal tract:
    • cracks in the corners of the mouth;
    • difficulty swallowing dry and solid foods;
    • burning and pain in the tongue that occurs spontaneously or after eating, smoothness of the papillae of the tongue (sideropenic glossitis);
    • teeth lose their shine and quickly deteriorate, despite the most careful care;
    • intermittent dull aching pain in the epigastric region (in the middle of the upper abdomen).
  • Damage to the skin and its appendages (hair, nails):
    • dry skin with multiple microcracks (especially the hands, the front surface of the legs);
    • nails - increased fragility of nails, transverse striations, spoon-shaped impressions (koilonychia - “clumsy nails”);
    • hair - hair loss, dry and brittle hair, premature graying.
  • Perversion of taste (in the form of a desire to eat chalk, lime, coal, clay, raw cereals) and perversion of smell (predilection for unusual smells - acetone, kerosene, paints, feces).
  • Violation of the activity of sphincters (circular muscles that close any opening: reflux of food from the stomach into the esophagus, betalepsia (urinary and fecal incontinence when coughing, laughing, straining, raising a leg on a step)).

Forms

Taking into account the level of hemoglobin (a special substance of red blood cells (red blood cells) that carries oxygen), iron deficiency anemia, like other forms of anemia, can be severe, moderate or mild.

• Light degree: hemoglobin concentration 90-110 g/l (that is, grams of hemoglobin per 1 liter of blood).
• Average degree: hemoglobin content 70-90 g/l.
• Severe: hemoglobin level is less than 70 g/l.

The normal level of hemoglobin in the blood is:

• for women – 120-140 g/l;
• in men – 130-160 g/l;
• in newborns – 145-225 g/l;
• in children 1 month – 100-180 g/l;
• in children 2 months. – 2 years. – 90-140 g/l;
• in children 2-12 years old – 110-150 g/l;
• in children 13-16 years old – 115-155 g/l.

However, clinical signs of the severity of anemia (symptoms of a hypoxic nature (lack of oxygen)) do not always correspond to the severity of anemia according to laboratory criteria. Therefore, a classification of anemia according to the severity of clinical symptoms has been proposed.

Based on clinical manifestations, there are five degrees of severity of anemia.

• Mild anemia- without clinical manifestations.
• Moderate degree of anemia:
  • ​ fast fatiguability;
  • weakness;
  • malaise;
  • decreased concentration;
  • pallor of visible mucous membranes and nail beds.
• Severe anemia:
  • ​ shortness of breath with moderate or slight exertion;
  • headache, dizziness;
  • rapid heartbeat (arrhythmia);
  • noise in ears;
  • sleep disturbance (eg, difficulty falling asleep, frequent awakenings at night);
  • decreased appetite, changes in food habits in the form of giving up previously favorite foods;
  • perversion of appetite (eating chalk, dirt, paints, etc.) and sense of smell (like the strong smells of gasoline, paints, varnishes);
  • pallor of visible mucous membranes and nail beds, skin;
  • increased sensitivity to cold - the patient is constantly freezing;
  • inflammation of the tongue (glossitis), lips (cheilitis) develops;
  • thinned, streaked, brittle nails;
  • frequent colds.
• Anemic precoma:
  • ​ shortness of breath at rest without any exertion;
  • progressive weakness, drowsiness;
  • mental disorders (hallucinations, depressive syndrome);
  • the skin and mucous membranes are sharply pale with a bluish tint;
  • tachycardia (rapid heartbeat).
• Anemic coma:
  • ​ low arterial (blood) pressure;
  • vomit;
  • tachypnea (rapid shallow breathing);
  • loss of consciousness;
  • involuntary urination;
  • absence of reflexes in the limbs (that is, reactions in response to irritation: for example, extension of a limb when struck with a hammer in areas of close proximity of nerves under the skin or flexion of toes when running a finger along the sole is no longer detected).

Causes

• • premature babies;

• Nutritional factors (impaired intake of iron from food and absorption of iron in the intestine).
  • Vegetarianism (eating only plant foods).
  • With a monotonous diet high in fats and carbohydrates.
  • • stomach cancer;
    • removal of part of the intestine;
    • cystic fibrosis (a hereditary disease characterized by damage to all mucus-producing organs (liver, pancreas, intestinal glands, respiratory system, sweat and salivary glands);
    • celiac disease (a genetic disease in which the gluten protein causes damage to the lining of the small intestine and the absorption process is disrupted);

• • into the external environment, most often – bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract (from Meckel’s diverticulum (congenital pathology of the small intestine in the form of a blind protrusion of the intestinal wall), with ulcers and erosion (defect of the mucous membrane) of the stomach and duodenum, varicose veins of the mucous membrane stomach and intestines). Repeated, even light, blood loss gradually leads to anemia due to the depletion of iron reserves in the body, which is necessary for the formation of hemoglobin (a special substance of red blood cells (red blood cells) that carries oxygen). The daily intake of iron from food is small, approximately 11-28 mg, and about 1-3 mg is absorbed from it , that is, approximately the same amount as contained in 15 ml of blood. Therefore, the daily loss of this and even smaller amounts of blood inevitably leads to a reduction in iron reserves in the body and the occurrence of iron deficiency anemia;
  • into the internal environment without recycling (reuse) of iron - isolated pulmonary hemosiderosis (a chronic lung disease manifested by repeated hemorrhages in the alveoli - air bubbles).

• Increased iron consumption - with tumor growth of any location.

Diagnostics

• Analysis of the medical history and complaints (when (how long ago) general weakness, shortness of breath, dizziness, stabbing pain in the chest, etc. appeared; what the patient associates with the occurrence of these symptoms).
• Analysis of the life history (does the patient have any chronic diseases, are there any hereditary diseases (passed from parents to children), does the patient have bad habits, has he taken any medications for a long time, have he had any tumors, has he been in contact with toxic (poisonous) substances).
• General examination (the color of the skin is determined (pallor is possible); the pulse may be rapid, arterial (blood) pressure may be reduced).
• Blood analysis. A decrease in the number of red blood cells (red blood cells, normal 4.0-5.5x10 9 /liter), a decrease in the level of hemoglobin (a special compound inside red blood cells that carries oxygen, normal 130-160 g/l) can be detected. The color index (the ratio of the hemoglobin level multiplied by 3 to the first three digits of the number of red blood cells) decreases (normally this indicator is 0.86-1.05).

• Blood chemistry:
  • decreased serum iron levels (serum is the liquid part of the blood);
  • increasing the level of TIBC (total iron-binding capacity of serum);
  • decrease in the level of saturation of transferrin (blood protein, the main carrier of iron) with iron;
  • decreased levels of ferritin (a complex protein that stores iron).
• A study of bone marrow, obtained by puncturing a bone, most often the sternum (the central bone on the front surface of the chest to which the ribs are attached), is performed in some cases to evaluate hematopoiesis and identify the nature of anemia.
• Trephine biopsy (examination of the bone marrow in its relationship with surrounding tissues) is performed by taking a column of bone marrow with bone and periosteum for examination, usually from the wing of the ilium (the area of ​​the human pelvis closest to the skin), using a special device - a trephine. Most accurately characterizes the condition of the bone marrow.
• Electrocardiography (ECG). An increase in heart rate, disturbances in the nutrition of the heart muscle, and, less commonly, cardiac arrhythmias are detected.
• Consultation is also possible.

Treatment of iron deficiency anemia

• Eliminating the causes of anemia is a very important factor in treatment.
• Daily routine: active lifestyle, daily walks in the fresh air.
• Diet therapy:
  • eat more foods high in protein (for example: cottage cheese, meat, fish, egg whites, liver, kidneys, etc.);
  • limit the consumption of fats (fatty meats, poultry, fish, lard, fatty sausages), give preference to easily digestible fats (butter, sunflower, soybean, olive oil);
  • limit the consumption of milk (no more than 0.5 liters per day) and strong tea, as they interfere with the absorption of iron in the intestines;
  • the amount of carbohydrates is not limited, dishes from various cereals (for example: porridge, puddings), sugar, honey, jam, legumes, flour products, vegetables, fruits, berries are recommended;
  • use increased amount vitamins of group B and C: vitamins of group B are rich in yeast, liver, kidneys, legumes, egg yolks, meat, fish, milk, cottage cheese, bran (rice, wheat); There is a lot of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) in lettuce, green onions, cabbage, and soybeans;
  • consume a sufficient amount of iron-containing foods (for example: pork and beef liver, beef tongue, rabbit and turkey meat, cereals - buckwheat, oatmeal, barley, millet, blueberries, peaches; fish caviar, especially sturgeon).
• Mandatory administration of iron supplements: in the first three months of treatment of anemia - in therapeutic doses, subsequently - in preventive doses. Iron supplements are prescribed orally between meals, washed down with fresh fruit juices or water, but should not be washed down with milk.
• In severe cases of anemia, iron supplements are prescribed by intramuscular or intravenous injection, and transfusion of red blood cells (donor red blood cells).

Complications and consequences

The prognosis with timely diagnosis and adequate treatment is favorable.

Complications.

• Psycho-emotional state disorder:
  • memory decreases;
  • concentration is impaired;
  • irritability appears.

• Anemic coma (loss of consciousness with lack of response to external stimuli due to insufficient oxygen supply to the brain as a result of a significant or rapidly developing decrease in the number of erythrocytes (red blood cells)).
• Deterioration of the condition of internal organs, especially in the presence of chronic diseases (for example, heart, kidneys, etc.).

Prevention of iron deficiency anemia

Primary prevention(that is, before the onset of the disease).

• Taking iron supplements to special groups of people with the highest risk of developing iron deficiency anemia - donors.
• A balanced and rational diet (eating foods high in fiber (vegetables, fruits, herbs), avoiding canned, fried, spicy, hot foods), eating animal products (eggs, caviar, meat, fish), and for vegetarianism (refusal to eat products of animal origin) - the use of multivitamin complexes. Frequent split meals (5-6 times a day in small portions).
• Prevention of chronic diseases that cause iron deficiency (for example, prevention of stomach and intestinal diseases - regular meals, avoiding spicy and fatty foods, eating thoroughly washed vegetables and fruits, etc.).

Secondary prevention(that is, after the development of the disease) consists of regular preventive examinations of the population in order to identify anemia in them as early as possible.

Additionally

• Hemoglobin is found in erythrocytes - these are red blood cells.
• Normally, the body of a healthy adult contains 4-5 g of iron.
• Iron deficiency anemia is very common and accounts for 4/5 of all anemia (decreased hemoglobin levels in the blood).

• Authors

  Pediatrics - a textbook for medical universities. P. Shabalov, 2003

• Extended Description
  • Low iron stores at birth:
    • premature babies;
    • children born to mothers with iron deficiency anemia;
    • children from multiple pregnancies (carrying two or more fetuses at the same time);
    • children from mothers with bleeding in the last months of pregnancy or during childbirth.
  • Nutritional factors (impaired intake of iron from food and absorption of iron in the intestine):
    • bottle-fed children;
    • late introduction of complementary foods (later 5-6 months);
    • vegetarianism (eating only plant foods);
    • excess whole milk in the child’s diet (more than 0.5 liters per day);
    • with a monotonous diet high in fat and carbohydrates.
    • Hereditary disorders of iron transport (decreased activity of enzymes that transfer iron from the intestinal cavity to the blood).
    • Impaired absorption of iron due to pathology of the gastrointestinal tract:
      • removal of the stomach or part thereof;
      • stomach cancer;
      • removal of part of the intestine;
      • chronic pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas);
      • cystic fibrosis (a hereditary disease characterized by damage to all organs that produce mucus (liver, pancreas, glands of the intestinal mucosa, respiratory system, sweat and salivary glands);
      • celiac disease (a genetic disease in which the gluten protein causes damage to the lining of the small intestine and the absorption process is disrupted);
      • enteropathy (non-inflammatory chronic intestinal diseases caused by a lack of enzymes in the intestines or defects in the structure of the intestinal wall), etc.
  • Chronic blood loss of various origins (origin):
    • into the external environment, most often - menstrual bleeding and from the gastrointestinal tract (from Meckel's diverticulum (congenital pathology of the small intestine in the form of a blind protrusion of the intestinal wall), with ulcers and erosion (defect of the mucous membrane) of the stomach and duodenum, varicose veins veins of the gastric and intestinal mucosa). Repeated, even minor, blood loss gradually leads to anemia due to the depletion of iron reserves in the body, which is necessary for the formation of hemoglobin (a special substance of red blood cells - red blood cells - that carries oxygen). The daily intake of iron from food is small, approximately 11-28 mg, and about 1-3 mg is absorbed from it. , those. approximately the same amount as contained in 15 ml of blood. Therefore, the daily loss of this and even smaller amounts of blood inevitably leads to a reduction in iron reserves in the body and the occurrence of iron deficiency anemia;
    • into the internal environment without recycling (reuse) of iron: isolated pulmonary hemosiderosis (a chronic lung disease manifested by repeated hemorrhages in the alveoli - air bubbles), endometriosis (proliferation of the inner lining of the uterus inside other organs).
  • Increased iron intake:
    • during pregnancy (300 mg of iron is spent on the needs of the fetus, 150 mg is contained in the placenta, from 100 to 250 mg is lost during childbirth due to blood loss);
    • during lactation (100-200 mg of iron is excreted in milk during the feeding period);
  with intensive growth of the body (mainly in adolescence, especially in combination with intense physical activity– young athletes), with tumor growth of any location.

Iron deficiency anemia is a hematological syndrome manifested by impaired hemoglobin synthesis resulting from iron deficiency.

The main reasons are a lack of iron-rich food and blood loss. It is observed in approximately 20% of the world's population and is most often detected in women.

Description of the syndrome

The human body should contain 4-5 g of iron. More than half of it is part of the blood. Chemical element may accumulate. It is deposited in the spleen, bone marrow or liver. Iron is excreted in urine, feces, during menstruation and during breastfeeding.

Normally, the amount of iron in the blood should be:

• In children under 2 years of age – 7-18 µmol/l.
• From 2 to 14 years – 9-22 µmol/l.
• Men – 11-31 µmol/l.
• Women – 9-30 µmol/l.

The amount of iron depends not only on gender and age, but also on weight, height and general health. In some cases, a situation is observed in which a reduced level of the metal is detected in the presence of normal hemoglobin. In order to get an accurate idea of ​​the amount of iron, two values ​​are compared - the hemoglobin concentration and the amount of iron in the blood serum.

The amount of serum iron is the main indicator in identifying anemia.

With a normal amount of iron, the body can function and develop normally, but with a lack of this element, the circulatory system malfunctions, which affects all organs.

Iron deficiency is most often observed in:

• Children and teenagers.
• Pregnant women.
• During lactation.
• Old people.

Iron deficiency can be observed in people involved in strenuous sports who do not monitor the quality of their diet.

Women who suffer from heavy bleeding during menstruation are also at risk. It is important for these people to regularly monitor their iron levels and fill their diet with iron-containing foods.

Classification

Classification according to severity and hemoglobin level is divided into 3 types.

1. These include: Easy.
2. Hemoglobin is about 90 g/l. Average.
3. Hemoglobin 70-90 g/l. Heavy.<70 г/л.

Hemoglobin

• There is another classification option, according to clinical manifestations: 1st degree.
• No symptoms. 2nd degree.
• Weakness and dizziness. 3rd degree.
• Impaired ability to work, all symptoms present. 4th degree.
• Precoma state. 5th degree.

Anemic coma can be fatal.

Causes

Only the attending physician can determine the degree of severity, depending on the results of tests and examinations.

Most people are iron deficient due to the absence or low amount of foods rich in this metal in their diet. This can occur when being a vegetarian or, conversely, eating a large amount of fatty foods. Excess dairy products can also negatively affect the absorption of this element and cause its deficiency.

On the left is an erythrocyte with hemoglobin molecules, which absorbs oxygen from the lungs, then it is in a bound state and transfers oxygen to the cells

• Other reasons include:
• Presence of gastrointestinal diseases. Gastritis, enteritis, malignant neoplasms and other pathologies of the digestive system negatively affect the process of iron absorption and can cause iron deficiency anemia.
• Hemosiderosis. Excess hemosiderin in the tissues of internal organs causes low plasma iron levels.
• Renal failure and nephrotic syndrome. The kidneys cannot produce the required amount of erythropoietin, which is important for the proper absorption of iron. In nephrotic syndrome, the metal is excreted in excess in the urine.
• Bleeding. They can occur not only during menstruation, but also as a result of injuries, diseases of the nose and gums, as well as hemorrhoids.
• Cirrhosis or liver cancer. The absorption of iron is directly affected by the presence of malignant and benign tumors, which negatively affect the human body.
• Cholestasis. Stagnation of bile in the biliary tract and jaundice can cause a lack of iron in the blood.
• Inflammatory, infectious diseases. The absorption of iron by the body increases, and with a poor diet it leads to a deficiency of this element.

Children under 2 years of age, adolescents during puberty, as well as pregnant and lactating women are most in need of iron.

High needs of the body lead not only to iron deficiency, but also to other important microelements.

In women, the body requires a higher consumption of iron, so about 18 mg of the metal should be supplied daily with food. During pregnancy, a woman's body should receive up to 30 mg of iron in her diet.

In children during periods of intensive growth, a similar situation is observed. That is why it is so important to monitor the quality of the diet and saturate it with foods that are rich in iron, and, if necessary, take medications.

Latent deficits in children can affect both physical and mental development.

What to do if you have low hemoglobin?

Symptoms

The disease can be recognized by unpleasant symptoms that occur regardless of age and gender.

• These include:
• Shortness of breath.
• Muscular hypotonia.
• Tachycardia.
• Lack of appetite.

Digestive problems.

The manifestation of clinical symptoms depends on the level of iron deficiency. With a mild degree of IDA, a person suffers from a constant feeling of fatigue, dizziness, lack of oxygen and ringing in the ears.

The lower the level of iron in the blood, the more pronounced the clinical manifestations.

A decrease in iron levels in the blood in childhood threatens mental retardation and growth.

• Iron deficiency anemia affects the appearance of women and men.
• So, the external manifestations of the disease are:
• Hair loss and dryness.
• Paleness of the skin.
• Early wrinkles.

Destruction of nails and teeth.

• Seizures in the corners of the lips.
• As the disease develops, a number of unpleasant symptoms appear that are simply impossible not to pay attention to:
• There is no appetite at all. A person eats out of habit.
• There is a desire to eat not normal food, but objects not intended for this, for example, clay or chalk.

Unpleasant sensations appear when swallowing food.

Sometimes there is a significant increase in body temperature.
In most cases, a person does not pay attention to these symptoms, and treatment becomes more difficult as sideropenic syndrome develops.

First of all, damage occurs to the skin, which becomes dry, after which internal organs suffer as a result of lack of oxygen.

People suffering from anemia experience drooling at night, a sore tongue, and microcracks appear on it. The slightest scratch heals very slowly, and the body has difficulty resisting infections and viruses. There is constant weakness in the muscles.

In severe cases, the following symptoms may occur:

• Urinary incontinence.
• Socket atrophy of the esophagus.
• Sudden urge to urinate.
• Swelling of the face.
• Constant drowsiness and weakness.

It is important to know that this unpleasant condition with deficiency anemia can last up to 10 years. People suffering from this disease can use iron supplements, which relieve unpleasant symptoms only temporarily. If the root cause of the disease is not eliminated, no medicine can give a positive result.

Metabolism of iron in the human body

Diagnostics

Iron deficiency conditions are easily diagnosed.

The presence of the disease is indicated by the person’s appearance:

• So, the external manifestations of the disease are:
• Facial pastiness.
• "Bags" under the eyes.

Auscultation of the heart often reveals tachycardia or arrhythmia. In order to confirm the diagnosis, a general and biochemical blood test is prescribed. If necessary, the doctor prescribes a number of additional tests to make not only an accurate diagnosis, but also to identify the cause of the disease.

If a decrease in hemoglobin and ferritin concentration (less than 30) with an increase in the iron-binding capacity of serum (more than 60) is detected, we can talk about iron deficiency.

Further research should be aimed at identifying the causes of this condition. First of all, the doctor collects anamnesis. Some people stick to strict diets for a long time without thinking about the harm they cause to the body.

In this case, it is enough to change the diet - and after some time the person’s condition will normalize.

After this, the doctor must find out whether a process associated with bleeding is occurring in the human body.

To do this they go through:

• FGDS.
• Sigmoidoscopy.
• Bronchoscopy.

If these procedures do not reveal any pathologies, the doctor suggests a number of other tests to determine what caused the iron deficiency.

A complete examination of the body may be required to identify the underlying disease.

Very often it is difficult to determine what caused anemia, but without finding out the reasons, treatment will be unsuccessful. By making up for the deficiency with medications, you can only feel temporary relief. After a short period of time, the disease will again begin to progress and manifest itself with unpleasant symptoms.

How to treat anemia in adults

For treatment, it is important to identify and eliminate the cause of iron deficiency. In addition, drugs are used to replenish the metal deficiency.

The following treatment regimen must be followed:

• Eliminating the cause of the disease.
• Medical nutrition.
• Ferrotherapy.
• Prevention.

Therapy includes glandular preparations in the form of tablets or injections. Their selection should be done exclusively by a doctor. Self-medication and uncontrolled use of such serious medications can only harm the body and aggravate the underlying disease that caused anemia.

Preparations with iron can be divided into two groups - ionic (divalent) and non-ionic (trivalent). Their absorption mechanism is different. Ferrous iron penetrates the intestinal mucosa, and through them into the bloodstream. For anemia, they should be taken 2 hours before meals.

The drugs irritate the walls of the stomach and can cause:

• Heartburn.
• Bloating.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Constipation.

Nonionic drugs transport iron using a transport protein, which reduces the risk of side effects and negative effects on the gastrointestinal tract.

However, these medications are rarely used, and doctors prefer ionic drugs.

In the treatment of moderate anemia, medications containing ferrous iron with a daily dosage of 2 mg/kg are more often used. Duration of treatment – ​​from 3 months.

Parenteral administration is indicated for intolerance to oral drugs, which is often observed in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

This method is indicated for severe forms of anemia that are life-threatening.

The effectiveness of treatment can be judged by the results of laboratory tests. After about 10 days, an increase in hemoglobin is observed.

The list of drugs for iron deficiency anemia is shown in the table:

The dosage is selected strictly individually depending on the severity of the disease and age. Most often it is 200 mg per day, with severe deficiency - 300 mg. After normalization of iron levels, medication should be continued (about 2 months) to replenish metal reserves and prevent relapses of iron deficiency anemia. The dosage of the drug is reduced by half.

Treatment of anemia lasts from six months or more. At the same time, it is necessary to take control tests every month and not stop taking medications.

Diet

The disease can be recognized by unpleasant symptoms that occur regardless of age and gender.

• The basis of the diet should be meat and products made from it.
• The body should consume at least 135 grams of protein per day.
• Give preference to steaming, boiling, baking and stewing.
• Limiting the amount of fat.

Iron-containing products include:

• Pomegranate juice.
• Buckwheat.
• Yolks.
• Red meat.
• Legumes.

Iron deficiency anemia cannot be cured only by changing the diet and filling it with healthy foods. A maximum of 5 mg of iron can be absorbed per day through food.

Decoctions of rose hips and black currants are useful for anemia. It is advisable to avoid dairy products, as calcium interferes with the absorption of iron. During treatment, it is necessary to avoid alcohol, as it is completely incompatible with medications that supply iron to our body.

Iron deficiency anemia is a disease that is highly treatable once the cause is identified.

Treatment of the underlying disease and taking iron-containing medications gives excellent results and allows you to avoid relapses in the future. If the cause of anemia is not established, a general examination of the body is required.

Video: Iron deficiency anemia. Causes and methods of treatment.