ⓒNewstopia
[뉴스토피아 남희영 기자]Anemia generally refers to a condition in which the number of red blood cells in the blood is reduced. There are various causes and types, including iron deficiency anemia, hemolytic anemia and vitamin deficiency anemia. Among these is anemia, which is particularly common among women. Today we will talk about anemia, iron deficiency anemia, which is especially common in women.
According to statistics from the Health Insurance Review and Evaluation Service, the number of patients visiting hospitals with iron deficiency anemia exceeds 350,000 each year. In particular, the percentage of women among patients is extremely high. In 2020, female patients accounted for 79.2% of all patients. Four out of five patients are women. If we consider female patients by age, 40-year-old patients represent the greatest number (32.7%), followed by 30-year-olds.
So why is iron deficiency anemia more common in women? Iron deficiency anemia is the most common form of anemia. Iron is the main component of hemoglobin in red blood cells, and when iron is insufficient, hemoglobin production and red blood cell production decrease. As a result, the lungs lack hemoglobin to bind oxygen, so oxygen cannot be supplied sufficiently to each tissue.
The main causes of iron deficiency anemia are increased iron requirements, iron loss, and decreased iron intake and absorption. In particular, women with heavy menstrual periods may suffer from iron deficiency anemia due to excessive loss of iron in the body due to continuous bleeding.
Additionally, pregnant women need a lot of iron to form the fetus and placenta, and because they bleed a lot during childbirth, their iron needs increase. Additionally, iron deficiency anemia may occur in cases such as peptic ulcers or frequent nosebleeds.
When anemia occurs, each organ makes efforts to adapt, for example by increasing the heart rate or preferentially sending blood to important organs. If the anemia is mild, no significant symptoms may appear, but if the anemia persists longer, fatigue, lethargy, and reduced ability to exercise may appear. The most common symptom is paleness.
One of the reasons you should be careful about iron deficiency anemia is that it can lead to various complications. This puts a strain on the heart to supply enough oxygen, causing angina, cardiac hypertrophy, and even heart failure. In pregnant women, it is also associated with premature birth and low birth weight babies. Therefore, if you have symptoms of anemia or have a high iron requirement, we recommend that you get diagnosed through a blood test.
How can iron deficiency anemia be prevented? Iron deficiency anemia can be prevented to some extent through diet. Eating iron-rich foods can help. In particular, if you have a high need for iron, such as women with heavy periods or pregnant women, you can also take iron supplements. It is also a good idea to periodically check your current health status through an anemia test every year.
Additionally, folic acid deficiency anemia, caused by vitamin B9 deficiency, occurs more often in women than in men. In most cases of anemia, the problem is the lack of nutritional intake, so it is recommended to follow a balanced diet with sufficient calories and foods rich in iron, vitamin C, vitamin B12 and folic acid.
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