Iron Deficiency Anemia Symptom

An iron deficiency anemia symptom can be any of the following: an accelerated heart rate and/or a sore tongue, especially when combined with fatigue and irritability. These symptoms can be difficult to detect because many of us think the signs may be simply the result of a bad day or something unpleasant in the diet. If you notice any of the above signs in conjunction with each other, start making notes on how frequently they occur and contact your doctor for a consultation.

Iron deficiency anemia can be caused by a diet low in iron, blood loss, or during periods when the body needs more iron that is readily available (pregnancy and adolescence are the most common). It's important to take in more iron that you might think is necessary, since for every 20 mg of iron you ingest from food, only 1 mg of that will be absorbed and used by the body. If your diet does not include foods rich in iron (such as beef, lamb, liver, shellfish, and legumes), you might want to consider adding iron supplements.

What To Do If You Exhibit An Iron Deficiency Anemia Symptom

If you notice an iron deficiency anemia symptom in yourself, the first thing to do is evaluate your dietary habits. Taking a supplement and watching what you eat could fix the problem in as little as several months. Dairy products and antacids often interfere with the proper absorption of iron (as does aspirin), so do not consume iron-rich foods or your iron supplement with milk or dairy products.

Even if your symptoms cease, continue to take your iron supplement. Building up a healthy supply of iron can help avoid symptoms of deficiency in the future. Making a change in your diet and including a supplement are two relatively easy changes to make to your lifestyle that will ensure you will not develop an iron deficiency.