Iron deficiency anemia, or anemia caused by vitamin B12 deficiency, is often a silent disease that is discovered incidentally during annual general health checkups. Because the symptoms of iron or vitamin B12 deficiency anemia are often overlooked, we tend to think of symptoms such as easy fatigue, a feeling of lack of energy (which may be attributed to overwork or fatigue after a long workday), headaches, shortness of breath, palpitations, cold hands and feet, occasional forgetfulness, increased judgment, irritability, and in more severe cases, depression or mild tingling sensations.
Silent health problems and how to overcome them.
Recently, Dr. Healthcare Clinic conducted annual general health checkups for teachers at School X, Phu Lam Ward, Ho Chi Minh City (formerly District 6). During these checkups, it was discovered that some teachers suffered from iron-deficiency anemia and vitamin B12 deficiency.
Iron is a nutrient your body needs for many functions, including energy production and immune support. However, one of iron's most important functions is producing hemoglobin – a molecule in blood that carries oxygen. When you don't have enough hemoglobin, your muscles and tissues don't get enough oxygen to function properly. Because iron deficiency doesn't always show obvious symptoms, you might be experiencing exhaustion, causing your body to overwork without sufficient oxygen.
The cause is iron deficiency:
- In women, this applies if they have heavy menstrual bleeding or are pregnant.
- Poor nutrition It may also be related to eating habits such as vegetarianism or improper dieting, lacking foods rich in iron.
- Long-term, regular use of medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or are currently using medication to treat gastritis, stomach ulcers, or long-term gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) such as omeprazole This will cause iron deficiency.
- Donate blood multiple times.
- Underwent major surgery.
- Sometimes, gastrointestinal cancers can also cause iron deficiency anemia, but it is less common.
The cause is a vitamin B12 deficiency:
- Do vegetarian This applies if you are a strict vegetarian and do not take vitamin B12 supplements or do not eat foods rich in vitamin B12, follow a restrictive diet, or have had a poor diet for an extended period.
- Due to surgery Removing the intestine causes short bowel syndrome.These individuals will have nutritional deficiencies and will not be able to absorb vitamin B12.
- Do long-term treatment:
- Patients with diabetes will take medication. Metformin Long-term treatment to control blood sugar levels can lead to a Vitamin B12 deficiency.
- Patients with epilepsy take certain anticonvulsant medications long-term, such as phenytoin (Dilantin) causing vitamin B12 and folate deficiency., carbamazepine (tegretol), phenobarbital, primidone, Valproic Acid (Valproate) Drinking it for a long time can cause a vitamin B12 deficiency.
- Patients with gastritis and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) must take proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) for treatment. omeprazole, lansoprazole Prolonged use can also lead to deficiencies in vitamin B12, magnesium, and iron.
How to treat iron-deficiency anemia or vitamin B12 deficiency:
- A natural nutritional supplement rich in iron and vitamin B12.
- Foods rich in iron include:Pork liver, beef liver, chicken liver, red meats such as pork and beef, legumes such as chickpeas, kidney beans, peas, lentils, dark green vegetables such as watercress, kale, and brown-stemmed water spinach.
- Foods rich in vitamin B12 include: Clams, mussels, meat, fish, beef liver, pork liver, milk, eggs.
For vegetarians, patients with iron and vitamin B12 deficiency anemia should take vitamin B12 and iron supplements. Follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor. and therefore regular check-ups and follow-up examinations are necessary., Avoid excessive use, as it can lead to dangerous iron poisoning.
