Iron-Deficiency Anemia

Iron-Deficiency Anemia

The iron-deficiency anemia is the most common form of anemia. It lacks the body iron that is essential for blood formation. On average about three to four grams of iron are present in the human body. Part of it is in the blood - on the one bound to the transport protein transferring, the other in the red blood pigment (hemoglobin). Iron deficiency anemia occurs because of iron deficiency. The iron binds to the pigment "heme" of hemoglobin that carries oxygen to body cells. Oxygen is essential to the cells so they can produce energy and perform their functions.

CAUSE

The most common cause of anemia due to iron deficiency (iron deficiency anemia) are iron losses due to bleeding. This occurs by inter alia:

Bleeding from the digestive tract, such as stomach ulcers, inflammation of the stomach lining ( gastritis ), hemorrhoids , infections, diverticula , polyps , parasites, but also by malignant tumors

Genital bleeding in women, most often by too long or heavy menstrual bleeding ( menstruation ), but also by heavy blood loss during the birth

Blood loss from other organs (eg, urinary tract, gums, nose, lungs)

Operationen Injury or surgery

Frequent blood donation , blood samples and dialysis treatment

A decrease in iron absorption at the digestive tract for various reasons, such as decreased production of gastric juices (that favor iron absorption in the intestine), absorption diseases such as celiac disease or surgeries affecting the stomach. An increase in blood loss, such as chronic gastrointestinal bleeding, heavy periods, gynecological or other losses pregnancy because the fetus using 2/3 of iron absorbed by the mother.

SYMPTOMS

Symptoms of iron deficiency anemia are a striking pallor of skin and mucous membranes. The hair and nails can become brittle and often breaks the skin at the corners and sometimes it is also to mucosal damage in ...