Question

report on Iron deficiency and Vitamin B12 deficiency. how they occur? and what can be done to help?

Answer 1

IRON DEFICIENCY

Iron deficiency or Anaemia occurs when you have a decreased level of hemoglobin in your red blood cells (RBCs). Hemoglobin is the protein in your RBCs that is responsible for carrying oxygen to your tissues.

Iron deficiency anemia is the most common type of anemia, and it occurs when your body doesn’t have enough of the mineral iron. Your body needs iron to make hemoglobin. When there isn’t enough iron in your blood stream, the rest of your body can’t get the amount of oxygen it needs.

While the condition may be common, many people don’t know they have iron deficiency anemia. It’s possible to experience the symptoms for years without ever knowing the cause.

In women of childbearing age, the most common cause of iron deficiency anemia is a loss of iron in the blood due to heavy menstruation or pregnancy. A poor diet or certain intestinal diseases that affect how the body absorbs iron can also cause iron deficiency anemia.

Doctors normally treat the condition with iron supplements or changes to diet.

VITAMIN B12 DEFICIENCY

Vitamin B-12 deficiency anemia is a condition in which your body doesn't have enough healthy red blood cells because of a lack of vitamin B-12. This vitamin is needed to make red blood cells. These cells carry oxygen to all parts of your body. Without enough red blood cells, your tissues and organs don’t get enough oxygen. Without enough oxygen, your body can’t work as well.

Folic acid is also called folate. It is another B vitamin. Either a lack of vitamin B-12 or a lack of folate causes a type of anemia called megaloblastic anemia (pernicious anemia). With these types of anemia, the red blood cells don’t develop normally. They are very large. And they are shaped like an oval. Healthy red blood cells are round. This causes the bone marrow to make fewer red blood cells. In some cases, the red blood cells die sooner than normal.