Women make sacrifices for their aspirations and career every single day. From doing the daily chores, earning money, preparing the food for the table, to taking care of their family. Women are often restless just to keep up with the amount of work they have to do. Women are selfless, they focus on their goals in life whilst devoting their time to their loved ones. But certain factors and conditions hinder them from achieving all these. One of these is the micronutrient deficiency called the Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA).
Pregnancy, significant menstrual bleeding during monthly periods, and uterine fibroids are all reasons why women are more likely to experience IDA. According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, an estimated 20 percent of women of childbearing age have IDA. Pregnant women are even more likely to have this kind of deficiency because they require greater amounts of blood to support their growing babies.
Based on the Philippine Dietary Reference Intake, the daily iron requirement in adults varies from 12 to 28 mg per day while pregnant and lactating women require 30 to 38 mg per day. Current food intakes are unable to meet these requirements. Iron supplements are therefore necessary to be provided to pregnant and lactating women. Iron fortification has been mandated by law for rice and flour. But these efforts are insufficient and are an important public health concern domestically.
Iron deficiency anemia is the most common type of anemia, and it occurs when your body doesn’t have enough supply of the mineral iron required for the bodily functions. Your body needs iron to make hemoglobin. When there isn’t enough iron in your bloodstream, the rest of your body can’t get the right amount of oxygen it needs most especially your brain where much of oxygen is needed the most.
The symptoms of iron deficiency anemia can be mild at first, and you may not even notice them. According to the American Society of Hematology (ASH), most people don’t realize they have mild anemia until they have a routine blood test.The symptoms of moderate to severe IDA include general fatigue, weakness, pale skin, shortness of breath, dizziness, tongue swelling or soreness, cold hands and feet, fast or irregular heartbeat, brittle nails and headaches
According to ASH, there are many reasons why a person might become deficient in iron. These include inadequate iron intake. Eating too little iron over an extended amount of time can cause a shortage in your body. Foods such as meat, eggs, and some green leafy vegetables are high in iron. Pregnant women and young children may need even more iron-rich foods in their diet.
Heavy menstrual bleeding and blood loss during childbirth are the most common causes of iron deficiency anemia in women of childbearing age. Certain disorders or surgeries that affect the intestines can also interfere with how your body absorbs iron. Even if you get enough iron in your diet, celiac disease or intestinal surgery such as gastric bypass may limit the amount of iron your body can absorb. Certain medical conditions can cause internal bleeding, which can lead to iron deficiency anemia. Examples include an ulcer in your stomach, polyps in the colon or intestines, or colon cancer. Helminth or parasitic infestations in the gastrointestinal tract also contributes to anemia. Iron deficiency Anemia can be diagnosed by a doctor through a routine physical examination and Complete blood cell (CBC) test since CBC test can measure the amount of all components in the blood.
In most cases, IDA are mild and don’t cause complications. However, if left untreated, it can lead to other health problems such as pregnancy complications, irregular heartbeat and delayed growth in infants and children. There are ways of treating Iron Deficiency Anemia. First is through Iron supplements for iron tablets can help restore iron levels in your body. Another way is through a diet that includes foods that can help treat or prevent iron deficiency such as red meat, dark green, leafy vegetables, dried fruits, nuts, iron-fortified cereals. Additionally, vitamin C helps your body absorb iron. If you’re taking iron tablets, a doctor might suggest taking the tablets along with a source of vitamin C, such as a glass of orange juice or citrus fruit.
As we celebrate International Women’s Month this March, let us show our appreciation to all the women who fight their own battles. Iron Deficiency Anemia can be an additional burden in a woman’s life, so let's enlighten them that it can also be defeated!
PNC-ZDS Marie Claire A. Gaas
References:
- Anemia: Symptoms and its causes
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anemia/symptoms-causes/syc-20351360#:~:text=Anemia%20is%20a%20condition%20in,range%20from%20mild%20to%20severe.
- Prevalence of anemia vary between males and females
Author: Joseph E Maakaron, MD (Nov 26, 2019)
https://www.medscape.com/answers/198475-155034/how-does-the-prevalence-of-anemia-vary-between-males-and-females#:~:text=Overall%2C%20anemia%20is%20twice%20as,is%20incorporated%20into%20circulating%20Hb.
- Iron requirement
Department of Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) Philippine Dietary Reference Intake.
- Iron deficiency anemia, symptoms, causes, health complications and treatment
