One of the most common types of anemia, especially in women, is iron deficiency anemia, a condition in which your body does not have a healthy supply of red blood cells, used to carry oxygen throughout your body. People with iron deficiency syndrome often feel tired and look pale through this lack of sufficient oxygen circulation.
As the name itself tells you, this type of anemia is caused by insufficient iron in your body. Iron is an important element, as it is used to make hemoglobin, which is used within red blood cells to carry oxygen so that the cell can circulate oxygen throughout the entire body. Without sufficient hemoglobin your red blood cells cannot carry sufficient oxygen. This leads to effects such as fatigue, paleness, weakness, lightheadedness, headaches, menstrual problems and even cold hands or feet. It can even lead to experience with restless leg syndrome.
Iron deficiency anemia can be developed several different ways. Sometimes this lack of iron is caused by bleeding, but more often it is the result of a diet low in iron. In some cases, however, the problem is not that you the food you eat is low in iron, but that your body does not absorb all the iron from what food is consumed. When your body does not take iron from the foods you eat it is usually due to a small intestine problem and should be looked at by a doctor.
Iron deficiency anemia is not life threatening and easily treated by an iron supplement which can be bought without a prescription. Most cases of iron deficiency is caught during a routine check up and treated by these supplements, which must be taken continuously for a few months while the iron is built up inside your body. If it is due to a problem with your body, blood work is usually administered to look for intestinal diseases such as regional enteritis or celiac disease.