Iron deficiency: Symptoms, causes, and ways to manage it

KEY STORY

• Iron is an important nutrient required by the body for the production of blood and its insufficiency can lead to body dysfunction. Do you often feel tired or lightheaded even after a long, lazy day of lying on the couch? It could be a consequence of iron deficiency and must be looking right into.

• One of the most common kinds of deficiencies, iron deficiency is characterized by the insufficiency of iron in the body. This can lead to a condition known as iron deficiency anaemia due to which the body can suffer from low healthy red blood cells count.

  Iron deficiency – Causes and symptoms

   

• When talking about the risk factors, women, frequent blood donors, children, vegetarians, and infants are more at risk of developing iron deficiency as compared to other groups of people.

• Among the causes of iron deficiency, two factors that top the list include the body’s inability to absorb iron and the consumption of insufficient iron in the diet. Pregnancy and blood loss are among the lesser prominent causes. Some common symptoms of iron deficiency are as follows:

  • Dizziness

  • Fatigue

  • Feeling chilly

  • Lightheadedness

  • Poor appetite

  • Headache

  • Pale skin

  • Brittle nails

  • Shortness of breath

  • Chest pain

  Iron deficiency – Methods of management

  Here are some ways in which iron deficiency can be managed:

  1. Increase your intake of iron-rich plant-based foods such as pumpkin seeds, spinach, kale, raisins, beans, and squash seeds.

  2. Increase your intake of iron-rich animal-based foods such as chicken, clams, lamb shrimp, eggs, and sardines.

  3. Supplements can help fulfil the iron requirements of the body. However, before hopping on to a supplement plan, make sure to seek expert advice about dosage.

  4. Vitamin C can enhance iron absorption, therefore, vitamin C-rich foods such as tomatoes, broccoli, berries, citrus fruits, and pineapples must be included in the diet.

  5. To prevent iron deficiency among infants, mothers should feed them iron-fortified formula.

Disclaimer: Tips and suggestions mentioned in the article are for general information purpose only and should not be construed as professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a dietician before starting any fitness programme or making any changes to your diet.