Iron deficiency anemia is a type of anemia.

Written by He Li Fang

Hematology

Updated on September 01, 2024

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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.

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Symptoms of anemia in late pregnancy

Patients with mild anemia in the late stage of pregnancy may not exhibit any obvious symptoms. However, patients with severe anemia may feel a lack of energy and dizziness throughout the body, and experience symptoms such as palpitations and shortness of breath after doing just a little bit of activity. Additionally, some individuals may experience gastrointestinal symptoms, such as abdominal bloating and diarrhea. Moreover, those affected may have a reduced appetite. In anemic women, signs on the skin and mucous membranes include pallor, dry skin, and sparse hair. Additionally, the nails may also be fragile and thin, and there is an increased likelihood of developing oral inflammation and similar symptoms.

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What to eat for postpartum anemia

In general, if anemia occurs postpartum, it is recommended to undergo further examination to understand the specific causes of postpartum anemia, and then to treat the condition accordingly. If iron deficiency anemia occurs postpartum, it is necessary to promptly supplement iron to correct the anemia symptomatically. If the anemia is due to a lack of certain vitamins leading to megaloblastic anemia, it still requires specific oral medication treatment based on the underlying cause. During the treatment process, it is also necessary to closely monitor the specific recovery from anemia after taking oral medications. If anemia persists without relief, further examinations are needed to exclude the possibility of blood system diseases causing the anemia. (Medication use should be carried out under the guidance of a professional doctor.)

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Anemia lacks what element

Anemia is not always caused by a deficiency in elements. In cases of iron deficiency anemia, it is due to a lack of iron. Megaloblastic anemia occurs because of a deficiency in folate or vitamin B12. However, clinically, there are many other types of anemia, such as aplastic anemia, hemolytic anemia, myelodysplastic syndromes, leukemia, etc. The anemia caused by these diseases is not due to a deficiency in elements, but is due to the diseases themselves affecting bone marrow hematopoiesis, leading to anemia. Therefore, it is necessary to clearly diagnose the cause of anemia in order to treat it effectively.

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Symptoms of baby anemia

The earliest symptoms of anemia in infants might include dizziness, fatigue, and tiredness. The most common and notable sign is a pale complexion. The severity of the symptoms depends on the speed and degree of anemia, as well as the body's compensatory abilities. Other possible symptoms include tinnitus, headache, insomnia, frequent dreaming, memory decline, and lack of concentration. Additionally, there can be shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, palpitations, and some might experience digestive issues such as bloating and reduced appetite, among other manifestations.

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What indicators are used to diagnose anemia?

To determine if someone is anemic, we should look at the red blood cell count and hemoglobin level in a complete blood count. Currently, hemoglobin level is the commonly used indicator clinically. Normal hemoglobin levels are 110~150g/L for women and 120~160g/L for men. Anemia is diagnosed when the hemoglobin level falls below the normal range. Based on the amount of hemoglobin, anemia can be classified into very severe, severe, moderate, or mild. Hemoglobin levels above 90g/L indicate mild anemia, levels between 60~90g/L indicate moderate anemia, levels between 30~60g/L indicate severe anemia, and levels below 30g/L indicate very severe anemia.