Ms. A has Iron deficiency anemia. This type of anemia is caused by the chronic blood loss resulting from excessive menstruation. High demands for iron especially during pregnancy and in children with rapid growth spurts during infancy and adolescence. This condition is treated by administering iron supplementation and the cause of iron deficiency (Banjari, 2018). This paper will discuss the symptoms and treatment of iron deficiency anemia.
Iron deficiency occurs when the rate of loss or use of iron is more than the rate at which it is being absorbed and used. This may be caused by chronic loss of blood especially due to excessive menstruation. The chronic blood loss may as well be due to the presence of conditions such as ulcers, gastritis or worm infestation (Besarab & Hemmerich, 2017). Iron deficiency can also be caused by increased use of iron during pregnancy. Additionally, iron deficiency anemia may be caused by the low rate of iron absorption in the body. Low iron absorption is associated with lack of acid in the stomach, malabsorption or even chronic diarrhea.
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The common symptoms of iron deficiency anemia include shortness of breath, fast heartbeat, feeling tiredness and body weakness. In some situations, the tough may become smooth and inflamed which is a condition known as glossitis (Banjari, 2018). The patient suffering from this disease may also suffer from cravings for strange foods. The symptoms of this disease are similar to those of heavy menstrual bleeding.
Ms. A has symptoms similar to those of iron deficiency anemia. She has been experiencing shortness of breath and low levels of energy. She also has enthusiasm which is an interest in craving for some food and interest in some activities, and this is also a symptom of iron deficiency anemia. The test shows that she has a low level of hemoglobin which is the major cause of this type of anemia. The volume of packed red cells is also low as shown by the hematocrit level. This again shows that she has few red blood cells in her body. Besides the erythrocyte count in Ms. A blood is low compared to the expected level. This also makes her have low blood pressure (Alemayehu et al., 2016).
The RBC blood smear shows there are microcytic and hypochromic cells which are a sign of the unexplained type of anemia. This also proves that the patient is suffering from iron deficiency anemia (Besarab & Hemmerich, 2017). Ms. A also has a high reticulocyte count compared to the standard level of two to two and a half. This again proves that the patient is suffering from anemia.
Besides, the history of the patient shows that she has been suffering from menorrhagia for the past ten to twelve years. This implies that she has been having heavy bleeding during her menstrual period. This may also show that the patient has iron deficiency anemia. This chronic blood loss during menstrual period may have been the cause of anemia. Ms. A has also been having dysmenorrhea in the past ten to twelve years (Besarab & Hemmerich, 2017). The pain during her menses may also be confused with anemia, but since dysmenorrhea is accompanied by menorrhagia, then the patient has iron deficiency anemia.
Treating iron deficiency anemia depends on how chronic the disease is. In this case, Ms. A should be treated by getting a blood transfusion (Banjari, 2018). Iron therapy should also be given to her. The doctor should also recommend dietary changes and supplements. Medicines are also used to treat iron deficiency anemia.
In conclusion, patients with iron deficiency anemia should be taught how to self-manage their condition to raise iron supply in the blood. People should be taught the preventative measures of iron deficiency anemia. Iron supplements should frequently be provided especially to the people with conditions that are caused by low levels of hemoglobin.
References
Alemayehu, A., Gedefaw, L., Yemane, T., & Asres, Y. (2016). Prevalence, Severity, and Determinant Factors of Anemia among Pregnant Women in South Sudanese Refugees, Pugnido, Western Ethiopia. Anemia , 2016 , 1-11. doi:10.1155/2016/9817358
Banjari, I. (2018). Iron Deficiency Anemia and Pregnancy. Current Topics in Anemia . doi:10.5772/intechopen.69114
Besarab, A., & Hemmerich, S. (2017). Iron-Deficiency Anemia. Management of Anemia , 11-29. doi:10.1007/978-1-4939-7360-6_2
