Iron Deficiency Anemia

Written by: Muhammad Nasir Serat

Anemia and iron deficiency occur due to iron deficiency in the diet or the body does not absorb iron. Those who suffer from iron deficiency or anemia usually do not notice the signs and symptoms until their problem is severe. Anemia could cause serious health problems.

AEPO’s writer/producer has talked to some patients and a physician about this disease.

ahmad Fahim, a resident of Qarabagh district, Kabul province says, “I am suffering from iron deficiency anemia and I have various health problems due to this disease like hair loss, dry skin and nails, insomnia, body weakness, and lethargy and I have lost my mental focus.”

Farzana, a resident of Shewaki district, Kabul province says, “I am suffering from lack of iron in my body. I am always bored, my mind is not working properly; I face insomnia and lethargy, I could not learn my lessons easily and I am always upset.”

Doctor Haseebullah Najeeb, an internist at Jamhoriat Hospital, Kabul city talks about this disease, “Signs and symptoms of iron deficiency anemia are feeling weak, tired, dizzy, bored and suffering from headache, pale color or feeling anemic on the skin, lack of mental focus. having anemia could cause mental problems, if do not pay attention to it, it could cause problems in the basic organs of the body, especially in women, causing miscarriage and other serious problems.”

What do some patients think about the causes of iron deficiency anemia?

Ahmad Fahim says, “I am a farmer and I have economic problems. We cannot strengthen our body and get energy with a dry loaf of bread and potatoes, and this issue causes us to face iron deficiency.”

Farzana says, “due to no appetite, I could not eat breakfast not lunch and nor dinner and these issues caused me anemia.”

Doctor Najeeb says, “Insufficient iron intake through food; internal bleeding, such as stomach ulcers, hemorrhoids, cancers, the body's inability to properly absorb iron and some other problems could cause anemia and iron deficiency.”

How do some patients treat this disease?

Suraya Jalalzai, a resident of Ghazni province says, “We eat cereals and vegetables more and we have not suffered from anemia yet.”.

Samiullah Mamozai, a resident of Bagrami district, Kabul province says, “I was suffering from stomach pain and when I was eating food, it was not observed. When I went to the doctor, he treated my disease and now I eat any kind of foods and fresh fruits and I have no problem related to anemia.”

Doctor Najeeb talks about the treatment of anemia, “In the first step, the patient should go to the doctor and diagnoses the cause of his/her anemia and the doctor would advise some medicines. Such patients could fulfill their body requirement of iron through meat, iron-rich vegetable and fruits like apple, fish, and cereals.”