Iron Deficiency Anemia in Illinois
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Find a ProviderWhat is anemia/iron deficiency?
Generally, anemia occurs anytime your blood does not have enough healthy red blood cells and therefore is unable to carry sufficient amounts of oxygen to the body. Iron deficiency anemia is a commonly seen type of anemia caused when there is not enough iron in the body which disables it from creating hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is a protein in the red blood cells that distributes oxygen. Without iron to produce hemoglobin, oxygen cannot be sufficiently spread throughout the body. Iron deficiency and anemia may cause severe health complications if ignored. You can find care for anemia in Chicago, IL, or Bloomington, IL. If you believe you or a loved one might have anemia or iron deficiency then we urge you to connect with GI Alliance of Illinois as soon as possible.
What are the causes of iron deficiency anemia?
Iron deficiency anemia is caused by a lack of iron in your blood. Iron is the element that equips the blood to produce hemoglobin. A body's lack of iron could be the result of a number of unique circumstances:
- Intravascular hemolysis
- Being pregnant
- An inability to absorb iron (your small intestine becomes compromised from a disease like Celiac disease)
- A lack of iron in one's diet
- Blood loss (chronic blood loss
Risk factors for iron-deficiency anemia may include:
- Participants in blood donation
- Those maintaining a vegetarian or vegan diet
- Children and infants
- Females
If you are at risk for iron deficiency, reach out to a physician in Chicago, IL, or Bloomington, IL, at GI Alliance of Illinois to ensure anemia does not become an issue.
What are some symptoms of anemia/iron deficiency?
Insufficient levels of oxygen can cause several iron deficiency problems. The most typical symptoms of iron deficiency anemia can include:
- Painful or smooth tongue
- Lightheadedness or dizziness
- Cold hands and feet
- Lack of hunger
- The feeling of being weak
- Nails that break easily
- Shortness of breath or pain in one's chest
- Hair loss
- Fatigue that cannot be explained
- Rapid heartbeat
- Paleness of the skin
- Craving for ice or clay (pagophagia)
- Pain in one's head
Iron deficiency anemia is a condition that must be diagnosed by a professional, and supplementing with iron in pill form without medical supervision could be detrimental. Help is available for iron deficiency in Illinois. See a doctor if you experience any combination of the above-listed symptoms consistently. If you or someone you love is suffering from these symptoms, we encourage you to get in touch with a local GI Alliance of Illinois practice and ask about investigating the possibility of iron deficiency.
How is iron deficiency anemia treated?
The treatments for iron deficiency anemia are extremely clear and they aim to increase the amount of iron in your body. It is important to note, however, that a number of conditions and/or medications might interfere with the absorption of iron. The most traditional ways to treat iron deficiency anemia involve:
- Antibiotics to treat peptic ulcers
- Eating more iron-rich foods
- Repair or treatment for internal bleeding
- Taking iron tablets in conjunction with vitamin C
- Taking iron supplements on an empty stomach
- Swallowing iron supplements without antacids
- Undergoing treatment for conditions that impact absorption, like Celiac disease or Crohn’s disease
- Use of oral contraceptives to reduce menstrual bleeding
Iron-rich foods:
- Dried fruit
- Red meat - Beef
- Pork
- Seafood
- Legumes
- Beans
- Leafy greens
- Poultry
Foods rich in vitamin C (to aid in iron absorption):
- Oranges
- Broccoli
- Kiwi
- Melons
- Grapefruit
- Leafy greens
- Tomatoes
Complete treatment for anemia
Iron deficiency anemia may be the cause of serious health issues if ignored. If the cells and tissues in your major organs do not receive the amount of oxygen they must have, they start to scar or become damaged. Also, with iron deficiency anemia, one's heart can be damaged because it is trying to supply more blood to oxygen-deprived portions of the body. But there is help for iron deficiency anemia in Illinois. Iron deficiency treatment may take two to three weeks to halt symptoms. Depending on why you were anemic in the first place, you may need to take iron supplements for a long amount of time to ensure that the anemia will not return. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with, or have suspicions of, anemia we implore you to connect with GI Alliance of Illinois to ensure you get expert treatment for your condition.
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