With these symptoms, you have iron deficiency
Is your hair falling out? Are your nails brittle? Are you pale in color and do you feel extremely tired? According to global statistics, women suffer from iron deficiency at least once in their lifetime.
Iron deficiency is one of the most common problems that is often seen in women. Iron is essential for the production of red blood cells. Red blood cells are a type of protein that helps transport oxygen throughout the body.
Pay attention to the symptoms of iron deficiency, which are mentioned in the following article, quoted from the “MSN” site, and if you have these symptoms, see a doctor.
You feel extremely tired: one of the most common symptoms, the main cause of which can hardly be diagnosed, is feeling extremely tired because most women have a busy life and as a result feel tired. According to a hematologist, women They consider fatigue a part of their life; While the lack of iron causes less oxygen to reach the tissues and the body is deprived of the energy it needs. If your natural fatigue is accompanied by a feeling of weakness and restlessness and you cannot concentrate on work, this can be a sign of iron deficiency.
Severe bleeding during menstruation: According to a gynecologist, the main cause of blood deficiency in women is severe bleeding. Despite losing a large amount of blood, only half of it is replaced in the body and this process continues every month.
Pale color: Red blood cells give red color to the blood and lack of protein causes pale face. Paleness of the face, inside of the lips, gums and eyelids is a sign of iron deficiency.
Shortness of breath: If the amount of oxygen reaching the body is low, no matter how deep you breathe, you will suffer from shortness of breath. If you are short of breath while doing normal tasks such as climbing stairs, exercising, etc., know that you have iron deficiency.
Heart palpitations: A heart that has been overworked is prone to problems such as irregular heartbeat, abnormal sound, enlargement and even stroke. To reach that stage, a person must be iron deficient for some time.
Restless leg syndrome: almost 15% of people who suffer from this syndrome have iron deficiency. The lower the iron level, the worse the symptoms.
Headache: due to lack of iron, the amount of oxygen that reaches the brain is less than usual, and as a result, the blood vessels in the brain swell and the person gets a headache.
Craving for dirt and ice: Craving for non-food items can be a sign of iron deficiency. Some women are tempted to eat plaster, soil and clay, but most women prefer to eat ice.
You get anxious for no reason: lack of oxygen stimulates the sympathetic nervous system. Since iron deficiency can increase the heart rate, a person feels that he is in a fight or flight situation, even though he has no reason to be anxious.
You have hair loss: iron deficiency in the advanced stage causes hair loss. For the body, it is more important to support the vital function than to maintain the hair. But know that losing 100 hairs a day is normal.
You eat plants: animal and vegetable iron have different structures, “heme” iron, which is available in red meat, chicken and fish, is 2 to 3 times more effective than iron without “heme” in plants.
You can provide the iron needed by the body with proper and accurate planning. Green leafy vegetables and whole grains are rich in iron. Combine these ingredients with foods rich in vitamin C, such as bell peppers, berries, and broccoli.
You have hypothyroidism: Iron deficiency slows down thyroid function. Hypothyroidism, which is seen in 6 out of 10 people, is not diagnosed by the patient. Therefore, if you have a lack of energy, are overweight or have a low body temperature, it is better to see a doctor.
Are you pregnant: We often hear that pregnant women should use folic acid, but the fetus also needs iron in addition to folic acid, and in case of deficiency, the fetus uses the mother’s body reserves. During childbirth, a lot of blood is lost and the amount of iron in the body decreases. If you are pregnant with multiples, have multiple pregnancies, or are vomiting due to morning sickness, increase your iron intake.
The appearance of the tongue is a little strange: in addition to the pale color of the tongue, low iron can reduce the amount of “myoglobin”, a type of protein in red blood cells.
You have celiac disease or intestinal inflammation: If you also get enough iron through food, these two diseases can interfere with the absorption of nutrients, including iron. This causes inflammation and damage to the digestive system. See a doctor to solve this problem.
How to get more iron?
The daily need for iron in women aged 19 to 50 is 18 milligrams. But if they are pregnant, they need 27 mg. Lactating women need only 9 milligrams of iron per day. But the intensity of bleeding can change this amount. Women over 50 who have gone through menopause need only 8 milligrams of iron. A serving of lentils, spinach, meat, chicken, fruit kernels, peas can provide several milligrams of iron needed by the body. Excessive consumption of iron can also damage internal organs and increase the risk of diabetes, heart attack and cancer, especially in the elderly.