Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA)

Iron Deficiency Anemia Imagine that you lived your life to the fullest potential, while not having a single idea that a heart attack was right around for you. You are exhausted and have unusual cravings for ice even when you’re freezing and cannot get warm. On top of that, you cannot explain why you are having a shortness of breath or foggy thinking. If you imagine your life like this, then you are living with a condition called iron deficiency anemia. IDA is a common type of anemia, a condition in which the blood does not receive the accurate number of healthy red blood cells. Specifically, with this case there is an insufficient amount of iron, and thus, causing red blood cells to lack hemoglobin, which is needed to carry oxygen. Unfortunately, when your red blood cells cannot produce what it needs, they cannot carry oxygen, and you will be exhausted and short of breath. This is most common for both women and individuals who have a diet short of iron.
However, as the body loses iron and the anemia’s intensity increases, the signs and symptoms become very noticeable. They may begin to realize that they have extreme fatigue, weakness, pale skin, chest pain, fast heartbeat, shortness of breath, headaches, cold hands and feet, inflammation of the tongue, brittle nails, unusual cravings for ice, and especially if it’s a child, a poor appetite. If one believes that may have these symptoms, they are encouraged to see their doctor right away. Do not take your own iron supplements, because this is very dangerous and it could cause serious liver damage. Now, if you do not decide to see your doctor, you are bound to experience heart, pregnancy, and growth