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Iron deficiency anemia is the most common type of anemia , and the most common cause of microcytic anemia. Anemia is a condition where red blood cells are not providing adequate oxygen to body tissues. There are many types and causes of anemia. Iron deficiency anemia is a decrease in the number of red cells in the blood caused by too little iron. Your body needs the element iron to make hemoglobin, a substance in red blood cells that enables them to carry oxygen. Iron is needed to form hemoglobin. Iron is mostly stored in the body in the hemoglobin. The differential diagnosis includes thalassemia, sideroblastic anemias, some types of anemia of chronic disease, and lead poisoning. IDA is usually due to a diet insufficient in iron or from blood loss. Blood loss can be acute as in hemorrhage or trauma or long term as in heavy menstruation. A decreased amount of hemoglobin and RBCs in the bloodstream is known as anemia. It is a decrease in the amount of red cells in the blood caused by having too little iron. In healthy people, the body concentration of iron is regulated carefully by absorptive cells in the proximal small intestine, which alter iron absorption to match body losses of iron. A lack of iron in the body can come from bleeding, not eating enough foods that contain iron, or not absorbing enough iron from food that is eaten.

Iron deficiency anemia is a decrease in the number of red cells in the blood caused by too little iron. Lack of iron in your diet is one cause of iron deficiency anemia, but there are other causes as well. For iron deficiency anemia in women, a diet with iron rich foods along with iron supplements is often recommended. When the reserves are depleted, the red blood cells are not only fewer in number but also abnormally small. Iron deficiency, whether it is severe enough to lead to anemia or not, can result from a number of health issues. When the body has sufficient iron to meet its needs (functional iron), the remainder is stored for later use in the bone marrow, liver , and spleen. Having iron deficiency anemia may cause you to feel tired and often look pale. Anemia is a condition where red blood cells are not providing adequate oxygen to body tissues.

Causes of Iron Deficiency Anemia

Common causes and risk factor's of Iron Deficiency Anemia include the following :

• Iron that is poorly absorbed in the digestive tract (may occur due to certain intestinal diseases or after surgery)
• A common cause in infants, children, and pregnant women
• Chronic bleeding, including heavy menstrual bleeding or GI tract bleeding
• Pregnancy
• Diets that contain insufficient iron (fairly rare in the United States)
• Babies who are given cow's milk to drink prior to age 12 months
• Heavy menstrual bleeding.
• Breastfed infants who have not started on solid food after six months of age

Symptoms of Iron Deficiency Anemia

Some of the common sign and symptoms of the disease Iron Deficiency Anemia follows:

• Pale skin color.
• Fatigue.
• Irritability.
• Weakness.
• Shortness of breath .
• Sore tongue.
• Brittle nail.
• Unusual food cravings.
• Decreased appetite.
• Headache - frontal.
• Blue tinge to sclerae.

Treatment of Iron Deficiency Anemia

Find effective treatment methods of treating Iron Deficiency Anemia :

• Iron supplements are typically continued for 6 months after the blood counts return to normal to fully replenish the body's reserves.
• The goals of treating iron-deficiency anemia are to restore normal levels of red blood cells, hemoglobin, and iron as well as to treat the condition causing the anemia.
• Treatment will depend on why the body is bleeding and where it is bleeding.
• Supplemental iron is needed during pregnancy and lactation because normal dietary intake rarely supplies the required amount.