90% of young Indian women suffer from iron deficiency: Doctors

Iron deficiency is a widespread issue among young women affecting around 90 per cent in India said doctors on Sunday calling the need for timely detection of the conditionMany women experience low iron levels without realising it often attributing symptoms like fatigue and weakness to other causesIron deficiency is a common nutritional shortfall that occurs when the body doesnt have enough iron to support its functionsThis essential mineral plays a crucial role in transporting oxygen throughout the body maintaining healthy red blood cells and supporting overall energy levelsWithout adequate iron individuals may experience fatigue weakness shortness of breath and impaired cognitive functionIron deficiency among young women is a growing concern that is often overlooked Despite efforts to promote healthy eating and supplementation 90 per cent of young women still struggle with insufficient iron levels Dr Rajesh Bendre National Technical Head and Chief Pathologist Apollo Diagnostics told IANSHe said factors such menstrual blood loss restrictive diets and heavy reliance on processed foods are behind the rise in iron deficiency among womenFurther the doctor noted that the lack of education about ironrich food sources and dietary requirements exacerbates the problemIt is crucial to raise awareness about the importance of maintaining adequate iron levels and provide accessible resources for proper nutrition education he saidMany pregnant women also suffer from iron deficiency leading to low hemoglobin anaemia and its associated symptoms such as weakness shortness of breath and pale skin the expert saidldquoIron deficiency in many pregnant women is a pressing concern that can have farreaching consequences Beyond the immediate health risks to the mother such as anemia and fatigue iron deficiency during pregnancy can also hinder foetal development Inadequate iron levels in expecting mothers may increase the risk of preterm birth and low birth weight which can impact a childs longterm health and cognitive development Dr Bendre saidAddressing iron deficiency in pregnant women goes beyond simply supplementing with iron pills Experts should educate women about the importance of regular prenatal checkups to monitor their iron levels throughout pregnancy enabling timely intervention if deficiencies ariseAnaemia is one of the most widespread public health problems and has important health and welfare social and economic consequences These include reduced hours at work poor concentration and low selfesteem causing impaired development and in severe cases increased risk of death in pregnant patients especially around the time of delivery About 50 to 60 percent of pregnant women are found to be deficient in iron Dr Abhya Bhave Haematologist Lilavati Hospital told IANSThe incidence of anaemia in our population is high especially in the student and marriageable age groupIron deficiency is the leading cause of anaemia due to poor nutrition or poor food intake worm infestation of the intestine intestinal blood loss and blood loss during periodsIron deficiency anaemia can have sinister reasons in the intestines including rare malignancies or malabsorption syndromes that will need a different line of treatment to prevent its recurrence There are other causes of anaemia such as Vit B12 and folic acid deficiency poor production in the bone marrow and excessive destruction Bhave saidAccording to Dr Kekin Gala Gynecologist Apollo Spectra Mumbai fatigue and general weakness are often the first signs of iron deficiencyPaying attention to your menstrual cycle can also be important in diagnosis as heavy periods can lead to iron loss and subsequent deficiency Screening tests for iron deficiency include a complete blood count CBC and additional tests such as serum ferritin and transferrin saturation can provide more specific information about iron levels in the body Regular monitoring through these tests not only provides insight into current iron status but also supports preventative efforts against more severe complications associated with untreated deficiency Gala saidIn addition to supplements Gala emphasised the need to incorporate ironrich foods like spinach and lentils into daily diet to help replenish iron levels naturally while also improving overall nutritionThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever