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Iron-deficiency Anemia
What are the symptoms of iron deficiency anemia?
Iron deficiency anemia is a type of anemia that exhibits common symptoms found in all anemia patients. It is characterized by a range of clinical symptoms caused by oxygen deficiency in tissue organs due to a lack of blood in the body. Common symptoms include dizziness, headaches, fatigue, shortness of breath and palpitations after activity, easy fatigability, difficulty concentrating, and decreased memory. Some patients may also experience blurred vision, ringing in the ears, and in severe cases, fainting, transient darkening of vision, and even arrhythmias. Because iron deficiency anemia is also accompanied by iron deficiency, it presents a range of clinical symptoms specific to iron deficiency, including pica, angular cheilitis, glossitis, unusual tongue conditions, decreased appetite, and even constipation among other symptoms.
What are the symptoms of iron deficiency anemia in children?
Iron deficiency anemia can manifest as: 1. Gradual pallor of the skin and mucous membranes, especially noticeable on the lips, oral mucosa, and nail beds. Older children may experience dizziness, darkening before the eyes, and tinnitus. Additionally, anemia can lead to extramedullary hematopoiesis, and enlargement of the liver, spleen, and lymph nodes can occur. The younger the age and the longer the duration of the disease, the more severe the anemia and the more prominent the enlargement of the liver and spleen. 2. In terms of gastrointestinal tract: reduced appetite, pica, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomatitis may occur. 3. Nervous system manifestations include: restlessness or lethargy, lack of concentration, reduced memory, and intelligence often lower than peers of the same age. 4. Cardiovascular system: an increased heart rate may be observed, and in severe cases, cardiac enlargement and even heart failure can occur. 5. Immune system: Iron deficiency can affect hematopoietic function, often leading to reduced cell-mediated immune function and combined infections.
Symptoms of iron deficiency anemia
The clinical manifestations of iron deficiency anemia consist of symptoms due to the anemia itself, specific manifestations of iron deficiency, and the underlying diseases causing the iron deficiency. The onset of anemia is often insidious, with some patients progressing very slowly. Initially, patients can adapt well to daily life and continue with their work, making it difficult to detect. It is usually not until the anemia becomes moderate to severe and symptoms become apparent that it is discovered. Common symptoms of anemia include dizziness, headaches, weakness, easy fatigue, palpitations, and shortness of breath after activity. Some patients might also experience a decline in memory and suffer from tinnitus and blurred vision. Some affected children may exhibit delayed growth and development or even abnormal behaviors, which can manifest as irritability, restlessness, inattention in class, and declining academic performance. A few patients may develop pica, a specific manifestation of iron deficiency anemia. Additionally, some patients might suffer from angular cheilitis, glossitis, and even atrophy of the tongue papillae. Severe cases can experience transient blindness and fainting, hence it is crucial to seek medical attention for iron deficiency anemia at the earliest.
What is the fastest way to treat iron deficiency anemia?
Iron deficiency anemia is a type of anemia caused by a lack of storage iron in the body, affecting the synthesis of hemoglobin. It is characterized by a lack of available iron in tissues and organs such as bone marrow, liver, and spleen, with decreased serum iron concentration, transferrin saturation, and serum ferritin levels. Typically, iron deficiency anemia presents as microcytic hypochromic anemia. Iron, as one of the essential trace elements in the human body, is contained in all functioning cells and is broadly involved in metabolic processes within the body. Therefore, the treatment principle for iron deficiency anemia involves replenishing sufficient iron until normal iron stores are restored and addressing the underlying causes that led to the iron deficiency to effectively and quickly replenish iron. Oral iron supplements are the preferred treatment option for iron deficiency anemia, such as ferrous sulfate, ferrous succinate, and iron dextran which are effective oral iron agents.
Symptoms of iron deficiency anemia in babies
Any age can develop the disease, but it is most commonly seen between six months and two years old, with a relatively slow onset. Generally, there is a gradual pallor of the skin and mucous membranes, most notably in the eyes, lips, oral mucosa, and nail beds. Affected children tend to be fatigued and less active, and older children may experience symptoms such as dizziness and darkening before the eyes. Physical examination may reveal enlargement of the liver, spleen, and lymph nodes; the more severe the anemia, the more pronounced the enlargement. Anemia can lead to a decreased appetite, and in some cases, pica, such as a craving to eat non-food items like soil or walls, may occur. Symptoms may also include vomiting, diarrhea, glossitis, and stomatitis. There is a general listlessness, lack of concentration, impaired memory, and intelligence that may be lower than peers of the same age. Iron deficiency anemia can also lead to decreased cellular immune function, making infections more likely.
Which department should I go to for iron deficiency anemia?
The formed elements in the blood include red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, which play important roles in cellular metabolism, defense, and hemostasis, respectively. Among them, anemia falls under the category of red blood cell diseases. Iron-deficiency anemia refers to a condition where the body's iron stores are depleted, failing to meet the needs for normal red blood cell production. Before the production of red blood cells is restricted, the body's iron stores are already depleted, but anemia has not yet occurred, a condition we call iron deficiency, also known as the subclinical iron deficiency period clinically. Iron-deficiency anemia is a common red blood cell disease and falls under the category of hematology. Therefore, patients with iron-deficiency anemia should consult a specialist in hematology.
Iron deficiency anemia is a type of anemia.
Anemia is a condition in which the total volume of red blood cells in the circulating blood is reduced below the normal value. Iron deficiency anemia belongs to a category of anemia caused by a lack of hematopoietic raw materials. It occurs when the body's stored iron is depleted and cannot meet the needs for normal red blood cell production. Iron deficiency anemia is a common disease among red blood cell disorders and is categorized under anemias caused by a deficiency in hematopoietic raw materials.