Feeding children with non-iron supplements instead of breast milk, switching to cow’s milk before the age of 1, and insufficient intake of animal foods can cause iron deficiency. The most common cause in adults is; excessive consumption of tea and coffee, roasting or overcooking the meat in the oven, consuming foods such as yoghurt and ayran alongside meat.
In some people, iron cannot be adequately absorbed by the intestine. Excessive menstrual bleeding in women, frequent and excessive births, tumors in the gastrointestinal tract are also causes of iron deficiency.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF IRON DEFICIENCY?
If you have iron deficiency; You may have complaints such as pale skin, a tired and weak body, numb hands, headache, poor concentration, forgetfulness, irritability, breakage of nails, mouth sores. Sometimes it can be detected in asymptomatic routine examinations.
So what to eat in iron deficiency? As is known, iron found in red meat is also abundant in green leafy vegetables (spinach, chard). Vitamin C taken with the iron medicine you drink or the red meat you eat increases the absorption of iron from the intestines. Caffeine, milk and bran reduce iron absorption.
HOW IS IRON DEFICIENCY TREATED?
In the treatment of iron deficiency, in addition to a balanced and healthy diet, regular medication is often required.
For the treatment of iron deficiency, I recommend that the individual regulate his diet first, but if anemia due to deficiency develops, I usually prescribe iron preparations for 6 months. In terms of treatment effectiveness, it is important to give control examinations in a timely manner and to follow the recommendations. When deemed necessary, your doctor may refer to further tests to investigate the cause of iron deficiency.
Once your anemia is detected, it means you will see your family doctor more often. Be you, do not miss your iron already.