Health and Me

Rachel V Thomas

Experts Flag Rising Iron Deficiency Among Women; Timely Screening Key

Experts Flag Rising Iron Deficiency Among Women; Timely Screening Key

Iron deficiency is one of the most common nutritional problems among women, but in the juggle between professional and household responsibilities, a majority of women tend to ignore their health. However, the detecting the mild symptoms in the beginning can help boost treatment and improve quality of life for women, said experts, while stressing the need for timely screening, ahead of International Women's Day.

International Women's Day is observed globally on March 8 every year. 

According to health experts, in a month, around 5 out of 10 women between the ages of 30 and 45 visit doctors with complaints such as persistent weakness, headaches, and tiredness. These symptoms are often linked to iron deficiency and put women at risk of developing anemia.

“Iron deficiency is a matter of concern among women, because the symptoms, such as fatigue and weakness, are neglected until the condition becomes serious,” said Dr. Upasana Garg, Regional Technical Chief, Apollo Diagnostic Mumbai. 

Dr. Garg said iron deficiency can be detected through simple blood tests that will be advised by the expert and will play a pivotal role in early diagnosis and timely treatment. 

<ul><li>Hemoglobin levels -- are carried out to measure the amount of oxygen-carrying protein in the blood and indicate if a woman has anemia </li></ul>

<ul><li>Serum ferritin and iron levels -- to gauge the amount of stored iron in the body and help detect iron deficiency even before anemia develops</li></ul>

<ul><li>A complete blood count (CBC) -- to measure red blood cells, including their size and number, which checks if the body is producing healthy blood cells. </li></ul>

Anemia is a major public health concern, mainly affecting young children, pregnant and postpartum women, and menstruating adolescent girls and women. 

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 40 percent of all children aged 6–59 months, 37 percent of pregnant women, and 30 percent of women 15–49 years of age worldwide are affected by anemia. 

Anemia occurs when there isn’t enough hemoglobin in the body to carry oxygen to the organs and tissues. 

In severe cases, anemia can cause poor cognitive and motor development in children. It can also cause problems for pregnant women and their babies. It is often caused by a lack of iron in the blood. 

“Iron is a necessary mineral which helps the body to produce hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to different parts of the body. When the body does not have enough iron, it is unable to produce healthy red blood cells. This condition is known as iron deficiency or iron deficiency anemia,” said Dr. Ritu Agrawal, Gynecologist, Zynova Shalby Hospital, Mumbai. 

Dr. Agrawal said that women are more likely to experience iron deficiency when compared to men. 

The major reason is blood loss during menstruation, and women who have heavy periods are at a higher risk.

During pregnancy, when the body needs extra iron to support the growing baby, the risk of anemia increases in the mother.

Other factors include poor diet, skipping meals, and not eating enough iron-rich foods. 

The common symptoms of anemia in women include: 

frequent infections due to reduced immunity

Dr. Agrawal said that 50 percent of women tend to ignore early symptoms of anemia. 

“In a month, around 5 out of 10 women between the ages of 30–45 visit with complaints such as persistent weakness, headaches, and tiredness, which are often linked to iron deficiency and put them at risk of developing anemia. If iron deficiency is not treated in time, it can lead to several health complications,” she added. 

Severe anemia can also lead to heart-related problems, such as irregular heartbeat or shortness of breath. 

The experts noted that detecting iron deficiency on time and initiating immediate treatment is necessary for women's better health. 

<ul><li>improving diet and taking iron supplements as advised by any expert</li><li>Have iron-rich foods like spinach, beans, lentils, nuts, and dates</li><li>Vitamin C–rich foods, such as oranges and lemons.</li></ul>

Health Conditions A-Z

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iron deficiency

anemia

International Womens Day

Womens Day

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Iron deficiency is one of the most common nutritional problems among women, but in the juggle between professional and household responsibilities, a majority of women tend to ignore their health. However, the detecting the mild symptoms in the beginning can help boost treatment and improve quality of life for women, said experts, while stressing the need for timely screening, ahead of International Women's Day. International Women's Day is observed globally on March 8 every year. According to health experts, in a month, around 5 out of 10 women between the ages of 30 and 45 visit doctors with complaints such as persistent weakness, headaches, and tiredness. These symptoms are often linked to iron deficiency and put women at risk of developing anemia. “Iron deficiency is a matter of concern among women, because the symptoms, such as fatigue and weakness, are neglected until the condition becomes serious,” said Dr. Upasana Garg, Regional Technical Chief, Apollo Diagnostic Mumbai. Dr. Garg said iron deficiency can be detected through simple blood tests that will be advised by the expert and will play a pivotal role in early diagnosis and timely treatment. These include tests for Hemoglobin levels -- are carried out to measure the amount of oxygen-carrying protein in the blood and indicate if a woman has anemia Serum ferritin and iron levels -- to gauge the amount of stored iron in the body and help detect iron deficiency even before anemia developsA complete blood count (CBC) -- to measure red blood cells, including their size and number, which checks if the body is producing healthy blood cells. Anemia In Women Anemia is a major public health concern, mainly affecting young children, pregnant and postpartum women, and menstruating adolescent girls and women.  The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 40 percent of all children aged 6–59 months, 37 percent of pregnant women, and 30 percent of women 15–49 years of age worldwide are affected by anemia. Anemia occurs when there isn’t enough hemoglobin in the body to carry oxygen to the organs and tissues. In severe cases, anemia can cause poor cognitive and motor development in children. It can also cause problems for pregnant women and their babies. It is often caused by a lack of iron in the blood. “Iron is a necessary mineral which helps the body to produce hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to different parts of the body. When the body does not have enough iron, it is unable to produce healthy red blood cells. This condition is known as iron deficiency or iron deficiency anemia,” said Dr. Ritu Agrawal, Gynecologist, Zynova Shalby Hospital, Mumbai. Dr. Agrawal said that women are more likely to experience iron deficiency when compared to men. The major reason is blood loss during menstruation, and women who have heavy periods are at a higher risk. During pregnancy, when the body needs extra iron to support the growing baby, the risk of anemia increases in the mother. Other factors include poor diet, skipping meals, and not eating enough iron-rich foods. Early Screening And Treatment The common symptoms of anemia in women include: constant tiredness, weakness, pale skin, shortness of breath, dizziness, headaches, hair fall difficulty concentrating frequent infections due to reduced immunityDr. Agrawal said that 50 percent of women tend to ignore early symptoms of anemia. “In a month, around 5 out of 10 women between the ages of 30–45 visit with complaints such as persistent weakness, headaches, and tiredness, which are often linked to iron deficiency and put them at risk of developing anemia. If iron deficiency is not treated in time, it can lead to several health complications,” she added. Severe anemia can also lead to heart-related problems, such as irregular heartbeat or shortness of breath. The experts noted that detecting iron deficiency on time and initiating immediate treatment is necessary for women's better health.  Management of iron deficiency includes improving diet and taking iron supplements as advised by any expertHave iron-rich foods like spinach, beans, lentils, nuts, and datesVitamin C–rich foods, such as oranges and lemons.