More and more people are affected by iron-deficiency anemia than with other micronutrient deficiencies. Before anemia occurs, iron deficiency affects other functions, such as the immune system, nervous system, reduces immunity, reduces physical activity and cognitive decline.

Part 1: Causes and Symptoms

Iron deficiency anemia is an anemia that occurs because the body does not have enough iron to meet the needs of making red blood cells for various reasons.

Why does the body lack iron?

There are many causes of iron deficiency and are classified into 3 groups:

Not providing enough iron needs

– Due to increased iron requirements: Puberty children, menstruating women, pregnant and lactating women….

– Due to lack of supply: Not eating enough, dieting, unbalanced diet, diet of alcoholics, the elderly, …

– Due to reduced absorption of iron by the body: Gastritis, enteritis; resection of the stomach and intestines; Due to eating some foods that reduce iron absorption such as tannins, phytates in tea, coffee, carbonated drinks …

Iron loss due to chronic blood loss

– Peptic ulcer, bleeding complications, gastrointestinal cancer, hookworm infection, intestinal polyps…; bleeding inflammation of the urinary tract; heavy bleeding through menstruation; after surgery, after trauma, uterine fibroid ….

– Intravascular hemolysis: Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria.

Hypotransferrinemia:

– Occurs when the body can’t synthesize the iron transporter transferrin. The disease is very rare, it leads to many serious complications for the liver, heart, bones such as heart failure, osteoarthritis pain, diabetes …

Symptoms of Iron Deficiency Anemia

Iron deficiency anemia is not an acute illness. However, it greatly affects the health status as well as the work productivity of the patient. In the long run, this condition can cause dangerous complications, especially for pregnant women. Therefore, it is necessary to recognize the early signs for timely detection and treatment.

Symptoms of iron deficiency anemia include:

– Fatigue is considered a common manifestation, in addition, there are signs such as difficulty concentrating or reduced work productivity.

– Pale skin, pale mucous membranes, pale, smooth tongue due to loss or wear of tongue spines, dry, brittle hair, hair, and nails.

– Dizziness, lightheadedness, headaches are caused by not enough oxygenated blood to the brain, causing blood vessels to swell, putting pressure on leading to headaches or migraines.

– Chest pain, shortness of breath: this symptom becomes worse with exertion or physical activity. This symptom may be because the hemoglobin content in the body is less than normal, leading to limited oxygen transport to the cells.

– Heart palpitations: is a symptom caused by iron deficiency, which if not treated promptly can lead to heart failure.

 

Part 2: Prevention of iron deficiency anemia

Follow a balanced diet rich in iron and vitamins such as:

• Red meat (beef, buffalo…), seafood, poultry, eggs, …
• Bread flour, beans, peanuts, dark green vegetables such as spinach, amaranth, morning glory, …
• Combining different foods makes meals more balanced in value and micronutrients.
• Increase iron absorption by drinking fruit juices such as oranges and lemons when eating iron-rich foods.

Do not drink tea or coffee right after eating.

Parasitic infections, malaria, infections are also one of the causes of iron deficiency anemia. Among them, intestinal parasite infection causes the greatest harm to the body. Therefore, it is necessary to deworm every year with Mebendazol and Albendazol, especially for women and children over 2 years of age. Regularly clean the environment, wash your hands before eating and after going to the toilet…

Supplementing iron tablets for women and children: this is the fastest way to improve iron deficiency anemia, but it should be prescribed by a doctor.

Early treatment of diseases that reduce iron absorption such as: digestive disorders, prolonged menstruation… diseases that cause chronic bleeding.

 

Part 3: Health benefits of donating blood

Blood is “a special medicine” that currently has no substitute for it. Every year, the world needs about 130 million blood units for treatment, emergency and disaster prevention. Donating blood is a humane and noble gesture that not only helps the person receiving the blood transfusion but also benefits the donor’s health.

1. Psychological comfort

Donating blood gives the donor a comfortable psychological experience and a positive spirit. Blood donors will feel proud and happy because the act of donating blood can save someone’s life. Donating blood is a sign of good health, good blood quality, from which, blood donors are confident in their own health.

2. Get health check, health advice

Each time a blood donation is made, the donor will have a preliminary health check such as a physical examination, blood pressure measurement, heart rate, etc., and be tested before donating blood. Donor blood is screened for: hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, HIV, syphilis, and the blood donor gets to know these test results.

3. Reduce iron overload in the body (Hemochromatosis)

Every day in the body, about 200-400 billion red blood cells die naturally and are replaced by new red blood cells. The amount of hemoglobin destroyed will release some iron, part is reabsorbed to create new blood, part is excreted and some remains in the body. Donating blood reduces excess iron and helps with iron chelation.

4. New blood regeneration

Each time blood donation is given, many components are lost such as: red blood cells, platelets, blood sugar, cholesterol, iron, potassium… As a result, blood donation helps to clear and reduce the burden of degeneration for the body. Donating blood is also a “pressure” for the body to produce new blood, especially red blood cells to compensate for the donated red blood cells, thereby stimulating the bone marrow to increase blood production.

5. Reduce the risk of stroke and heart disease

The presence of too much iron in the blood promotes the oxidation of cholesterol. The products of this process are deposited in the subendothelial layer of blood vessels, increasing the risk of atherosclerosis. It is one of the leading causes of heart attacks and strokes. Regular blood donation will contribute to reducing iron accumulation, thereby helping to reduce the risk of stroke and cardiovascular disease.

6. Increase calorie burning

It is estimated that each donation of 450ml of blood helps to burn about 650 calories in the body and reduce cholesterol in the blood. This is a useful measure in weight loss for people with an above-average body weight.

7. Send blood to a blood bank

Each blood donation is a time when the blood donor deposits his blood into the blood bank. When unfortunately, a blood donor needs to receive blood, just show a certificate of voluntary blood donation to be reimbursed for free blood at public health facilities nationwide.

Reference: vienhuyethoc.vn, bvdklaocai.vn

 

Medical Second Opinion – MSO

Insmart is the leading TPA unit in Vietnam, specializing in providing claims management services for health insurance programs, along with health and healthcare related solutions for insurance customers in Vietnam. One of the provided solutions is the Medical Second Opinion Service (MSO), which Insmart has cooperated with the MediGuide of the United States since 2015.

MediGuide, headquartered in Delaware, USA, is a multinational company dedicated to providing Medical Second Opinion (MSO) solutions through its members. MediGuide was founded and became a world leader in MSO. MediGuide is a partner of WLMC (World’s Leading Medical Center Organization) to bring world-class service values to its members. Currently, MediGuide is operating in 45 countries and territories.

MSO provides medical advice from experts from leading medical centers in the world such as: Harvard, Johns Hopkins, Boston,… By far, the three specialties that receive the most requests for MSO are: orthopedics, oncology, and pediatrics. Members participating in insurance products attached with MSO services can activate this utility for an unlimited number of times and disease groups in a year, just ensuring the basic medical requirements of the service.

Through the MSO service of Insmart, members have more advice from experts to consider all possible treatment options for disease conditions, connecting with the world’s leading medical centers and especially helping to minimize travel costs, time and effort.

Wisely choose insurance products attached with MSO benefits provided by Insmart to give yourself the opportunity to receive reputable medical advice during difficult times

For any questions about our service, please contact:

Email: mkt@insmart.com.vn

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