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Pumping Iron
Reduce Your Risk of Iron Deficiency Anemia
By Carma Haley Shoemaker
Iron deficiency anemia is "the most common chronic disease of mankind," according to Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary. In addition, Taber's estimates that approximately 20 million people in the United States alone suffer from iron deficiency anemia, occurring in one-half of all pregnancies. Anemia is not a disease, but rather a symptom of a condition or disease, which, in this case, is pregnancy.
Although the majority of women develop iron deficiency anemia while pregnant, many don't know what it is or the causes, let alone how to prevent it. Generally speaking, "Anemia is a reduction in circulating red blood cells, which are the cells that transport vital oxygen to all cells in the body," says Dr. David Michael, faculty attending physician at Mt. Sinai Hospital in Chicago, Ill. "The main causes of anemia are related to excessive blood loss, decreased production (from poor dietary supply or poor absorption of iron in the digestive system) or increased destruction (related to disease). Women in the reproductive years generally fall into the first or second category as a result of menstruation and childbirth."
According to Dr. Michael, the most common symptoms of anemia are pallor, fatigue and weakness. However, these symptoms will vary in each person and with each condition. "Symptoms depend on the degree of anemia, as well as the timing," says Dr. Michael. "For instance, if anemia progresses slowly over time, a person may have few, if any, symptoms, because their body has had time to adjust to lower levels of red blood cells. Those who do develop symptoms in later degrees may also experience dizziness, headaches, fainting, sore tongue, gastrointestinal disturbances, loss of libido, slight fever, increased heart rate or palpitations and general malaise."