Anemia/Iron Deficiency in New Orleans, LA

Insufficient levels of oxygen can cause a multitude of iron deficiency complications. The most typical symptoms of iron deficiency anemia can include:

• Painful or smooth tongue
• A lack of color in the skin
• Headache
• A lack of strength
• Loss of hair
• Brittle nails
• Shortness of breath or pain in one's chest
• Cold hands and feet
• Loss of appetite
• Fatigue that has no apparent reason
• Rapid heart rate
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• The craving for ice or clay (pagophagia)

Iron deficiency anemia is a condition that must be diagnosed by a professional, and supplementing with iron in pill form without a provider's supervision may be detrimental. Help is available for iron deficiency in New Orleans, LA. Consult with a digestive health specialist if you suffer from any combination of the above symptoms consistently and ask about investigating the possibility of iron deficiency.

The treatments for iron deficiency anemia are extremely straightforward and their primary goal is to get more iron in your body. However, several conditions and/or medications can interfere with the absorption of iron. The most typical treatments for iron deficiency anemia are:

• Taking iron tablets in tandem with vitamin C
• Taking antibiotics for treatment of peptic ulcers
• Eating more iron-rich foods
• Use of oral contraceptives to reduce bleeding during menstruation
• Surgery for internal bleeding
• Treatment for diseases that impact absorption, like Crohn's disease or Celiac disease
• Swallowing iron tablets without antacids
• Taking iron supplements on an empty stomach

Foods rich in iron:

• Poultry
• Beans
• Dried fruit
• Leafy greens
• Seafood
• Legumes
• Beef or other red meat
• Pork

Vitamin C-rich foods (to help with iron absorption):

• Kiwi
• Tomatoes
• Broccoli
• Oranges
• Grapefruit
• Melons
• Leafy greens