Saturday 18 June 2016

Timely diagnosis and treatment of iron deficiency key: HCFI

Timely diagnosis and treatment of iron deficiency key: HCFI
New Delhi, June 17, 2016: A report published by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2011, indicates the incidence of anaemia as high as 48% in women in the age group 15-49 years in India. This means that almost half of Indian female in the prime of their lives possibly suffer from iron deficiency. “Iron is a mineral that plays a vital role in health and well-being. Without it, many bodily functions would malfunction. Given the increasing incidence of iron deficiency in our country and its implications on the long-term health and well-being of the population, it is important to raise awareness about the necessity timely detection and treatment of iron deficiency”, said Padma Shri Awardee Dr KK Aggarwal – President Heart Care Foundation of India (HCFI) and Honorary Secretary General IMA. The primary role of iron is to carry oxygen in the blood to every cell in the body. Iron is an important component of haemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs and transports it throughout the body. If your body doesn't have enough iron, it cannot produce enough healthy oxygen-carrying red blood cells. Iron deficiency can cause anaemia, which means you have too little haemoglobin. Women in their childbearing years are at higher risk for iron deficiency because of the loss of blood during menstruation and require high amounts of iron. Iron deficiency anaemia during pregnancy can increase risks of small or early (preterm babies. Small or early babies are more likely to have health problems or die in the first year of life than infants who are born full term and are not small. Iron deficiency can also delay normal infant motor function (normal activity and movement) or teen mental function (normal thinking and processing skills). Signs of iron deficiency include fatigue, decreased work and school performance, slow cognitive and social development during childhood, difficulty maintaining body temperature, decreased immune function, and glossitis (an inflamed tongue). Blood tests establish the diagnosis of iron deficiency. Dietary changes or iron supplements are possible treatments for iron deficiency. Common signs and symptoms of iron deficiency include: • Fatigue -Fatigue alone might not point to iron deficiency, but along with the other symptoms on this list, it’s a warning sign. • Heavy Periods – If you’re losing a lot of blood each month, your body may have trouble bouncing back, and that can lead to iron deficiency. • Difficulty Catching Your Breath – Our body needs iron to help your blood carry oxygen to your cells. Iron deficiency can make you feel out of breath. • Irregular heartbeat - Long-term iron deficiency anaemia can cause irregular heartbeats and other heart complications. It can also make existing heart problems worse. • Headaches – If you are having frequent headaches, it is important that you get yourself checked for iron deficiency. Iron deficiency causes arterial swelling in your brain • Anxiety - Iron deficiency deprives your sympathetic nervous system of oxygen, which can make you feel anxious for no reason. • Hair loss - Hair loss is a symptom of severe iron deficiency when your body is working very hard to conserve oxygen. • Pregnancy - During pregnancy, the amount of blood in your body increases until you have almost 50 percent more than usual It is important to consistently monitor your iron levels when you get your blood work, especially during the second half of your pregnancy. • Inflammatory Bowel Disease – IBD can make it difficult for your body to absorb nutrients, including iron. You may need to eat more iron or take a supplement to maintain healthy levels.

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