Management of Iron-Deficiency Anemia

Iron is an important nutrient the body needs to make healthy red blood cells. Anemia is a condition in which the amount of red blood cells in the body is low. Iron-deficiency anemia occurs when a low iron level causes the body to make less blood or smaller red blood cells. Some causes of iron-deficiency anemia include long menstrual periods, a vegetarian diet, peptic ulcer disease, or the long-term use of medications such as aspirin or ibuprofen. Symptoms of this condition include feeling tired, frequent headaches, and difficulty concentrating. In severe cases, very low iron levels may cause brittle nails, shortness of breath, and pale skin color.

The best treatment for iron-deficiency anemia is with iron replacement. Iron- rich foods include liver, meats, chicken, turkey, egg yolks, dried lentils, fish, peanut butter, and greens like spinach. Iron supplements are often taken to maximize the iron storage in the body. Over-the-counter products containing ferrous sulfate (Feosol, Slow FE), ferrous fumarate (Femiron, Hemocyte, Ircon), or ferrous gluconate (Ferate, Fergon) are commonly taken one to three times. Common side effects of iron therapy are nausea and dark stools. For severe anemia, intravenous iron therapy can be administered by a healthcare professional in a medi- cal facility.




  
 
  
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