Iron Deficiency Day - November 26

Iron deficiency can affect anyone, but people usually do not notice their body's signals in time, and often only take action against it or consult a doctor when their health has already deteriorated. Therefore, despite the fact that iron deficiency is a global problem with serious consequences, it is a significantly underdiagnosed condition.

The aim of the Iron Deficiency Day initiative is to

• draws attention to iron deficiency, a worldwide problem
• help with early detection by explaining the signs and symptoms of iron deficiency
• focus on particularly vulnerable groups of people
• emphasize the importance of prevention and treatment in order to minimize health damage caused by iron deficiency

Iron deficiency affects more than one and a half billion people

Iron deficiency is very common, affecting every third person on Earth.

In Europe, every third menstruating woman, three out of four pregnant women, and nearly half of young children are iron deficient.

Iron deficiency anemia resulting from untreated iron deficiency affects 2-4 percent of the population of economically developed countries.

Iron plays a central role in physiological processes

Iron is essential for blood production, the proper functioning of our heart and muscles, our resistance to infections and diseases, and the maintenance of our physical and mental energy levels, i.e. iron is essential for the proper functioning of our body.

In addition to persistent fatigue, a variety of symptoms can occur in iron deficiency

According to a European survey, patients with iron deficiency most often mention persistent fatigue (79%), paleness (38%), decreased concentration (30%), and women report heavy menstrual bleeding (28%).

In addition to the main complaints, several other symptoms may indicate iron deficiency:

• many people experience headaches, hearing loss, shortness of breath, memory impairment, decreased libido,
• additional unpleasant changes, such as chapped lips, ulcers in the mouth, fragile skin, broken nails, hair loss,
• but strange habits such as sensitivity to cold, restless legs syndrome, sucking ice, craving for inedible things may also appear.

Iron deficiency can develop for several reasons, and it does not only affect women

Iron deficiency is a deficiency disease that mostly affects women, but it can actually develop in both sexes and regardless of age

• increased iron loss: due to menstrual bleeding, other chronic blood loss
• insufficient iron absorption : in case of long-lasting chronic diseases with bleeding, inflammation or malabsorption
• the need for iron increases: in certain stages of life - pregnant women, young children, adolescents - and during sustained and vigorous physical exertion
• low iron intake: by choice (followers of a vegetarian or vegan diet, dieters) or dieters due to a chronic illness

Iron deficiency significantly affects the quality of life and performance, and can lead to the collapse of the body if left untreated

Due to iron deficiency, physical performance decreases significantly, by almost a third, and every second person with iron deficiency complains of a decrease in activity. The consequences vary from person to person, but iron deficiency definitely makes us weaker, aggravates chronic diseases, increases the rate of illnesses and deaths, significantly impairs mental and motor development in young children, and during pregnancy is dangerous not only for the mother, but also for the developing fetus due to low birth weight , prematurity, and the risk of impaired brain development.

In the case of persistent iron deficiency, iron stores are depleted over time, which leads to iron deficiency anemia, a life-threatening condition that requires immediate intervention.

It is best to prevent iron deficiency, but if it has already developed, it must be treated

On average, people consult a doctor 9 months after the onset of iron deficiency symptoms. However, with the recognition of the symptoms, a balanced, iron-rich diet started on time alone or supplemented with oral iron supplementation can be successful. If these are unsuccessful, iron deficiency and anemia can be successfully treated with medical help with intravenous (injection or infusion) iron therapy.

(Source: Editorial)