Do you know about iron deficiency anemia?

Iron deficiency anemia is one of the most common types of anemia. It is a type of microcytic hypochromic anemia caused by a lack of iron in the human body, which leads to reduced hemoglobin synthesis. More than a quarter of the world's population suffers from anemia to varying degrees, of which 60% suffer from iron deficiency anemia. The results of the fourth nutritional survey in my country show that the prevalence of anemia among Chinese residents is 20%, of which 50% suffer from iron deficiency anemia. Women, children and teenagers in their growth and development period, and the elderly are the most susceptible groups. Let me talk to you about the relevant knowledge of iron deficiency anemia.

1. What are the symptoms of iron deficiency anemia?

1. Symptoms of anemia: fatigue, tiredness, dizziness, headache, tinnitus, blurred vision, shortness of breath, poor appetite, etc.; accompanied by pale complexion and increased heart rate.

2. Symptoms of tissue iron deficiency: abnormal mental and behavioral symptoms, such as irritability, restlessness, inattention, and pica; decreased physical strength and endurance; slow growth and development, and mental retardation in children; stomatitis, glossitis, angular cheilitis, and iron-deficiency dysphagia; dry and falling hair, and dry skin; nails that lack luster and are easy to crack, and in severe cases, the nails become flat and concave into a spoon shape (commonly known as ingrown nails).

3. Manifestations of primary iron deficiency diseases: heavy menstruation in women, such as black stools, bloody stools or abdominal discomfort caused by peptic ulcers, tumors or hemorrhoids, abdominal pain or changes in stool characteristics caused by intestinal parasitic infections, weight loss due to tumor diseases, hemoglobinuria due to intravascular hemolysis, etc.

2. Causes of Iron Deficiency Anemia

1. The body's demand for iron increases, but iron intake is insufficient: This is common in infants, children, adolescents, and pregnant and lactating women; infants and young children are prone to iron deficiency if they do not promptly supplement their iron-rich complementary foods such as eggs and meat. Children and adolescents need more iron during their growth period, and they are prone to iron deficiency due to hunger, partial eating, and unreasonable diet structure. Women have too many menstrual cycles, and their iron needs increase during pregnancy or lactation. If they do not supplement high-iron foods, they are prone to iron deficiency anemia.

2. Iron absorption disorder: It is common after subtotal gastrectomy. Insufficient gastric acid secretion and rapid food entry into the intestines bypass the duodenum, the main site of iron absorption, and reduce iron absorption. Gastrointestinal dysfunction caused by various reasons, such as long-term unexplained diarrhea and chronic enteritis, can cause iron absorption disorder. Long-term drinking of strong tea and coffee affects iron absorption.

3. Excessive iron loss: chronic gastrointestinal bleeding (such as hemorrhoids, gastric or duodenal ulcers, hiatal hernia, gastrointestinal tumors, esophageal or gastric varices in severe liver disease, hookworm disease, etc.); menorrhagia (uterine fibroids, menstrual disorders, etc.); hemoptysis and alveolar hemorrhage (bronchiectasis, tuberculosis, lung cancer, etc.); hemolytic hemoglobinuria (chronic nocturnal hemoglobinuria); multiple blood donations in a short period of time and long-term hemodialysis due to chronic renal failure, etc.

3. Treatment principles

1. Etiological treatment: Actively look for the cause. For menorrhagia, peptic ulcer, hiatal hernia, gastrointestinal diverticulum and polyps, gastrointestinal tumors, and hookworm disease, relevant specialist treatment should be carried out in time, and some measures can be taken to prevent and treat bleeding.

2. Iron supplementation

1) Oral iron preparations are the first choice: such as ferrous sulfate, ferrous succinate sustained-release tablets, polysaccharide iron complex capsules, etc. Gastrointestinal side effects are small when taken after meals, and vitamin C can promote iron absorption. Generally, the reticulocyte count increases 5-10 days after oral iron preparations, the hemoglobin concentration increases after 2 weeks, and returns to normal in 1-2 months. Iron treatment should continue for 2-3 months after hemoglobin returns to normal to replenish the body's stored iron.

2) Indications for intravenous iron supplementation: Patients who cannot tolerate the gastrointestinal adverse reactions of oral iron preparations; those with gastrointestinal diseases or who urgently need to increase their iron supply can choose injectable iron preparations under the guidance of a doctor.

4. Prevention

1. Reasonable and balanced nutrition

①. Increase the intake of foods rich in iron: Eat a reasonable diet and ensure sufficient and diverse food supply to meet the body's iron nutrition needs. All people, especially children, pregnant women and lactating women, should consume more animal foods rich in iron, such as animal red meat, liver, blood such as pork liver, pig blood, lean meat, beef, fish, etc. Do not be partial to food, and do not drink strong tea or coffee. Iron-rich vegetables include celery, Chinese cabbage, fresh beans, spinach, shepherd's purse, taro, bean sprouts, etc.; iron-rich fungus and algae foods include seaweed, kelp, mushrooms, black fungus, white fungus, etc.; iron-rich fruits include grapes, hawthorn, apricot, peach, red dates, longan, etc. Although green leafy vegetables are rich in iron, the fiber they contain hinders the absorption of iron. Therefore, their iron absorption rate is lower than that of animal foods.

②. Increase the intake of other micronutrients in food: Vitamin C, A, B6, B12, folic acid and other vitamins affect the body's iron absorption, utilization and metabolic function. Vitamin C can promote the intestinal absorption of iron; B6, B12, folic acid and red blood cell synthesis have a close metabolic relationship. Usually, the adequate intake of various micronutrients in the diet should be increased.

2. Carry out screening for people who take aspirin and acid-suppressing drugs for a long time, and those with tumor diseases and chronic hemorrhagic diseases.

5. Iron-supplementing diet

1. Lotus seed stewed pork belly: pork belly tools, 40 lotus seeds, sesame oil, salt, onion, ginger, garlic. Wash the pork belly, put the cored lotus seeds inside, sew it up, put it in clean water and stew until cooked, remove it and let it cool. Cut the pork belly into shreds, eat it with lotus seeds, add sesame oil, salt, onion, ginger, garlic and other condiments, mix well and serve.

Pork liver (lamb liver) and shepherd's purse soup: 100 grams of pork liver (lamb liver), 150-200 grams of shepherd's purse. Slice the pork liver (lamb liver), remove the roots of the shepherd's purse, wash and cut into sections, boil in boiling water, add a little salt and ginger, and eat when the liver is cooked.

Glutinous rice and wheat porridge: 50 grams of glutinous rice and 50 grams of wheat. Cook porridge together and add appropriate amount of white sugar or brown sugar when taking.

Longan and red dates porridge: Add appropriate amounts of longan meat, red dates, barley and rice and cook them into porridge.

In summary, in daily life, whether adults or children, iron deficiency anemia is a key topic that should be paid attention to. This article briefly discusses the basic symptoms and treatment methods of iron deficiency anemia, hoping to bring some help to patients with iron deficiency anemia. The above is only personal advice for reference only. Regarding treatment or care, it must be based on personal specific circumstances and follow the doctor's advice. (Hou Lanfen, Department of Hematology, 980th Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force)