Iron deficiency anemia is a growing concern in Kazakhstan, as both adults and children are affected by it due to an imbalanced diet.
Birzhan Konyrov's 2-year-old son recently fell ill with measles and had to be taken to intensive care when his condition deteriorated.
Medical experts discovered that the child had low iron levels in his blood, a common problem among children with iron deficiency anemia. This condition can be transmitted from mother to baby during pregnancy and is caused by delayed feeding of the child.
'The child was unable to stand and asked to be carried. At first, we thought it was due to measles, but it was revealed that his iron levels had dropped considerably - plummeting to 47. We are thankful that we sought medical attention promptly,'
Birzhan Konyrov, the resident of Taraz City, told the media.
The pathology appears during teenage body reconstruction. Additionally, school lunch often includes pastries and soda.
According to hematologist Myra Naurasbaeva, opting for a dry meal or a potato cake cannot serve as a complete substitute for a nourishing meal. These alternatives may not contain the vital vitamins and nutrients necessary for a developing body. Deficiencies in iron and other vitamins are becoming more prevalent among adolescents. While nutrition is the primary concern, it is also crucial to incorporate protein-rich foods into one's diet, even if meat consumption of a kilo per day is not feasible.
Saya Artykova of Astana says that in recent years she constantly felt weak. Quickly tired, did not sleep well, noticed that the nails became brittle. It was only by consulting doctors that she learned of the critically low level of hemoglobin in the blood.
'Often, we fall into the habit of delaying important matters until later, using excuses like work, family, and other obligations. Eventually, we reach a point where we can no longer ignore the problem. In my personal experience, my treatment required me to adhere to a strict diet recommended by my doctor and nutritionist, as well as taking iron supplements to address my anemia and iron deficiency,'
Saya Aitykova, a resident of Astana city, explained.
Doctors warn that iron-containing supplements should only be taken with approval, as they can lead to serious health issues in those with iron metabolism disorders, such as liver cirrhosis or diabetes.
According to hematologist Aizhan Nurgalieva, it is unwise to self-prescribe any biologically active supplements. This includes BUD, which is a food supplement and not a medication or cure. Upon examining the composition of these supplements, it becomes apparent that they consist of more than just iron. They also contain trace elements like calcium, zinc, and magnesium. However, these micronutrients may impede iron absorption in the intestine. Therefore, it is essential to thoroughly consider the potential effects before taking any supplements.
Currently, there are over 100,000 children in the country with iron deficiency. However, women of reproductive age and children in Kazakhstan can access free iron preparations.
Anemia is a medical condition characterized by an insufficient amount of healthy red blood cells in the bloodstream, and one of the most prevalent types of this condition is iron deficiency anemia. This type of anemia is caused by iron deficiency in the body, which is necessary for producing hemoglobin in red blood cells, the protein responsible for transporting oxygen to the body's tissues.
Iron deficiency anemia can lead to various symptoms due to the decreased oxygen supply to the body, including:
- Skin paleness or yellowing
- Unexplained fatigue or lack of energy
- Shortness of breath or chest pain, especially during physical activity
- Generalized weakness
- Increased heart rate
- Ringing or pounding in the ears
- Headaches, particularly during physical activity
- Cravings for ice or clay, also known as "pagophagia"
- Sore or smooth tongue
- Brittle nails or hair loss.
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