Anemia/Iron Deficiency in Dallas, TX

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In most cases, anemia develops anytime an individual's blood does not have a sufficient amount of healthy red blood cells and therefore is unable to deliver adequate oxygen throughout the body. Iron deficiency anemia is a commonly seen type of anemia resulting from a shortage of iron in your body, which inhibits the body from making hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is a protein in the red blood cells that delivers oxygen. Without iron to aid in the production of hemoglobin, oxygen cannot be correctly distributed to one's body. Anemia and iron deficiency could cause serious health problems if ignored. You can find care for anemia in Dallas, TX. If you suspect anemia or iron deficiency, then we encourage you to contact Digestive Health Associates of Texas as soon as possible.

Iron deficiency anemia is caused by having below-normal amounts of iron in your blood. Iron is the element that equips the blood to create hemoglobin. This iron deficiency could be caused by a few differing circumstances:

  • A lack of iron in your diet
  • Intravascular hemolysis
  • A problem absorbing iron (the small intestine may become compromised from a disease such as Celiac disease)
  • Blood loss (chronic)
  • Pregnancy

Those at an increased risk for iron deficiency anemia can include:

  • Infants and children
  • Females
  • Vegetarians/vegans
  • Those who donate blood

If you or someone you love suspects iron deficiency, connect with a physician at Digestive Health Associates of Texas to ensure anemia does not become an issue.

A shortage of oxygen can present as a number of iron deficiency complications. The most typical symptoms of iron deficiency anemia could include:

 

  • Fast heartbeat (tachycardia)
  • Cold hands and feet
  • Fatigue that cannot be explained
  • Shortness of breath or pain in one's chest
  • Loss of appetite
  • A lack of strength
  • Hair loss
  • Sore or smooth tongue
  • Pain in one's head
  • Brittle nails
  • Craving for ice or clay (pagophagia)
  • Lightheadedness or dizziness
  • Paleness of the skin

 

Iron deficiency anemia should never be self-diagnosed, and taking iron supplements without medical supervision might be detrimental. Help is available for iron deficiency in Dallas, TX. Consult with a doctor if you experience any combination of the above symptoms consistently. If you or someone you love is suffering from these symptoms, we encourage you to call a local Digestive Health Associates of Texas practice and ask about investigating the possibility of iron deficiency.

Treatments for iron deficiency anemia are extremely straightforward, and their primary goal is to increase the amount of iron in the body. It is important to note, however, that some other conditions and/or medications could interfere with the absorption of iron. The most frequently used treatments for iron deficiency anemia include:

 

  • Surgery or treatment for internal bleeding
  • Treatment for diseases that impact absorption, like Celiac disease or Crohn's disease
  • Use of oral contraceptives for reduction of menstrual bleeding
  • Taking iron supplements on an empty stomach
  • Taking antibiotics for treatment of peptic ulcers
  • Eating more iron-rich foods
  • Swallowing iron tablets without antacids
  • Taking iron tablets at the same time as vitamin C

 

Iron-rich foods:

 

  • Legumes
  • Poultry
  • Dried fruit
  • Leafy greens
  • Beans
  • Beef or other red meat
  • Seafood
  • Pork

 

Vitamin C-rich foods (to help with iron absorption):

 

  • Tomatoes
  • Melons
  • Broccoli
  • Kiwi
  • Oranges
  • Leafy greens
  • Grapefruit
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Iron deficiency anemia could lead to serious medical concerns if improperly handled. When the tissues and cells in your major organs do not receive the amount of oxygen they require, they begin to suffer damage or scarring. Also, with iron deficiency anemia, your heart can be damaged due to its attempts to supply additional blood to oxygen-deprived parts of the body. However, help is available for iron deficiency anemia in Dallas, TX. Iron deficiency treatment could need 2 – 3 weeks to halt symptoms. Depending on the initial cause of your anemia, you might need to take iron supplements for a long period of time to be sure that the anemia will not resurface. If you or a family member has received a diagnosis of, or have suspicions of, anemia, we invite you to reach out to Digestive Health Associates of Texas to have peace of mind that you will get professional treatment for your situation.

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