Iron deficiency anaemia is a very common problem found in many people around the world, especially women, and is caused by a lack of iron in the body. Severe cases of iron deficiency anaemia will show symptoms such as extreme fatigue, weakness, dizziness, headache, shortness of breath etc.
Causes of iron deficiency anaemia are:
- Loss of blood.
- Insufficient consumption of iron with your food.
- Iron absorption problems.
- Other health problems such as chronic kidney failure, obesity or heart conditions.
If left untreated, iron deficiency anaemia can lead to major health problems such as:
- Depression.
- Heart problems.
- Higher risk of getting infections.
- Developmental or growth delays in children.
- Complications in pregnancies.
This condition can be detected early by doctors through routine blood tests. If you are showing symptoms of iron deficiency anaemia, a doctor will request additional screening and testing to conclude the diagnosis.
How iron deficiency anaemia is treated will depend on the cause and severity, and treatments can vary from simple iron supplements to surgery or blood transfusion. The different types of treatments available for iron deficiency anaemia are:
- Iron supplements – The most common treatment is to give a patient iron supplements which can be taken orally as tablets or as a syrup.
- Iron infusion – Sometimes a doctor may suggest iron infusion treatment, which is to administer iron directly to the blood intravenously. Many clinics provide iron infusion treatment in Mt Gravatt and other areas of the country, where you can get more details regarding this kind of treatment.
- Blood transfusion – Red blood cell transfusions are for those people who have severe iron deficiency anaemia and need to increase red blood cells and iron in the blood quickly.
- Surgery – Surgery may be needed to stop any internal bleeding.
- Healthier lifestyles – Eating more food that include Vitamin C increases iron absorption in the blood. Eating and living healthier are great preventive strategies.
