Iron deficiency anemia is best described as an inadequate amount of red blood cells in the bloodstream as a result of too little iron. Iron is an essential component to hemoglobin, which is needed to produce healthy red blood cells. Not enough iron can negatively impact your blood's ability to carry oxygen to all the tissue in your body, leading to symptoms commonly associated with this condition.
Symptoms
Fatigue is by far the most frequent symptom of iron deficiency anemia. It's often accompanied by weakness, dizziness or lightheadedness. You may also suffer from a shortness of breath, headaches, irregular heartbeats, irritability and cold hands or feet. Many people develop pale skin as well. When it comes to exercise, you typically experience a drop in athletic performance with anemia. This is largely due to the lack of oxygen passed from the lungs to the rest of the body.
Development
Though it can affect your athletic performance, anemia isn't caused by too little or too much exercise. Blood loss is the most common culprit of this condition, advises the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Anytime you lose blood, you tend to lose iron. You may also develop anemia as a result of diet. Not getting enough of this mineral in the foods you eat can eventually cause you to become anemic. Pregnancy and gastrointestinal disorders are known to contribute to this condition as well.
Treatment
Increasing the level of iron in your diet can sometimes help improve iron deficiency anemia, notes the Mayo Clinic. This means incorporating more red meat, eggs, pork, poultry and seafood as well as legumes, peas and dark, leafy vegetables into your diet. But diet alone doesn't always help, and you may need to take a supplement to fully recover from this condition. Your doctor can recommend the correct amount. If diet and supplementation fail to improve your iron levels, another condition could be contributing to your anemia. Your doctor can then treat the condition to improve your iron levels and absorption of this mineral.
Vitamin C
You can often help your body better absorb iron by increasing your intake of foods rich in vitamin C, advises the National Institutes of Health. You can increase your intake of vitamin C by incorporating more citrus fruits, apricots, melons, mangos, strawberries, cabbage, peppers, broccoli, tomatoes and potatoes into your diet. Even green, leafy vegetables, which are also rich in iron, can increase your intake of this vitamin.
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