परिभाषा
एनीमिया स्वस्थ लाल रक्त कोशिकाओं (आरबीसी) का निम्न स्तर है। आरबीसी फेफड़ों से ऑक्सीजन को शरीर के बाकी हिस्सों में ले जाते हैं। जब लाल रक्त कोशिकाएं कम होती हैं तो शरीर को पर्याप्त ऑक्सीजन नहीं मिल पाती है। यह थकान, पीली त्वचा, या अनियमित दिल की धड़कन जैसे लक्षण पैदा कर सकता है।
Iron is needed to build healthy RBCs. Iron-deficiency anemia is caused by low levels of iron in the body.
का कारण बनता है
Factors that play a role include:
- Iron that is poorly absorbed in the digestive tract (may occur due to intestinal diseases or surgery)
- Chronic bleeding (eg, heavy menstrual bleeding, bleeding in the gastrointestinal [GI] tract)
- Not enough iron in the diet (common cause in infants, children, and pregnant women)
जोखिम कारक
These factors increase your chance of developing this condition. Tell your doctor if you have any of these risk factors:
- Rapid growth cycles (infancy, adolescence)
- Heavy menstrual bleeding or chronic blood loss from the GI tract
- गर्भावस्था
- Diets that contain insufficient iron (rare in the United States)
- Breastfed infants who have not started on solid food after six months of age
- Babies who are given cow’s milk prior to age 12 months
- शराब
लक्षण
While most people with mild anemia have no symptoms, when present, symptoms may include:
- थकान
- पीली त्वचा
- Fingernail changes
- कमजोरी
- सिरदर्द
- Decreased work capacity
- दिल की घबराहट
- संक्रमण
- Craving to eat things that are not food (called a pica), such as ice or clay
- बालों का झड़ना
- Shortness of breath during or after physical activity
निदान
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam.
परीक्षण में शामिल हो सकते हैं:
- Serum iron
- ट्रांसफ़रिन आयरन बाइंडिंग क्षमता
- सीरम फ़ेरिटिन स्तर
- Microscope examination of a blood smear
- Fecal occult blood test—to look for hidden blood in the stool
उपचार
उपचार में शामिल हो सकते हैं:
Iron Supplements
Iron can be taken as a supplement or as part of a multivitamin. Iron comes in many “salt” forms. Ferrous salts are better absorbed than ferric salts. Ferrous sulfate is the cheapest and most commonly used iron salt. Slow-release or coated products may cause less stomach problems. However, they may not be absorbed as well. Some products contain vitamin C to improve absorption. Talk to your doctor, though, because your iron level could get too high.
Iron-Fortified Cereal
Your doctor may recommend that you feed your baby iron-fortified cereal.
रोकथाम
To help reduce you or your child’s chances of getting this condition, take the following steps:
- Eat a diet rich in iron (eg, oysters, meat, poultry, fish)
- Avoid foods that interfere with iron absorption, like black tea
- Ask your doctor if your infant is getting enough iron—The general guidelines are:
- Starting at four months, breastfed infants need an iron supplement until they get enough iron from other sources, like infant cereal or iron-fortified formula.
- Bottle-fed infants should get a formula that is fortified with iron.
- Many premature infants need extra iron starting at one month of age.