When the red blood cells don’t have enough hemoglobin because at that time the no. of red blood cells is lower then the normal cells in our body this is main condition of anemia. Hemoglobin is an iron-rich protein that gives the red color to blood and carries the oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. In people with anemia, the blood does not carry enough oxygen to the rest of the body. Red blood cells also remove carbon dioxide, a waste product, from cells and carry it to the lungs to be exhaled.
The main cause of anemia is loss of blood loss, decreased production of red blood cells, or increased destruction of red blood cells. The most common symptom of all types of anemia is feeling tired because the body is not receiving enough oxygen. Iron-deficiency anemia can range from mild to severe. A mild case usually causes no symptoms or problems. However, a severe case can cause tiredness and weakness. Severe iron-deficiency anemia can lead to serious problems for young children and pregnant women. In pregnant women, iron-deficiency anemia can increase the risk of a premature delivery and a low-birth-weight baby. The heart is also affected when there is a lack of oxygen in the body. When heart work harder it needs enough oxygen throughout the body. Over time, this stress on the heart can lead to a fast or irregular heartbeat, chest pain, an enlarged heart, and even heart attack also.
Some people with iron deficiency anemia always feel cold. They feel cold because iron plays a role in regulating the body’s temperature. Less common symptoms can include ringing in the ears and an altered sense of taste. Iron-deficiency anemia can make people irritable and have poor concentration. It can affect children’s growth, causing behavioral and learning difficulties. Some people with iron-deficiency anemia develop thin skin and spoon-shaped or brittle nails. It can also cause painful cracks at the sides of the mouth and a sore tongue.
The best way to prevent iron-deficiency anemia is to eat a diet that contains plenty of iron. The recommended daily amount is 8.7mg a day for men and 14.8mg a day for women.
Good sources of iron include: liver, meat, beans, nuts, dried fruit, whole grains, fortified breakfast cereals, and most dark-green leafy vegetables. It’s a good idea to eat foods containing vitamin C at the same time as eating sources of iron because this helps with iron absorption. Good sources of vitamin C include peppers, fruit juice, sweet potatoes, oranges and kiwi fruit.
But Iron is stored in the body and too much iron can be harmful.