July 12 (Fri) "Head feels dizzy" Could it be iron deficiency?… Reasons why it shouldn't be taken lightly

Risks of iron deficiency, which transports hemoglobin

 

If you experience a feeling of dizziness or a 'ping' sensation when sitting down and standing up, or immediately after a sauna or intense exercise, it may indicate a deficiency in iron.

 

 

Iron, one of the nutrients responsible for various functions in our body, is essential for forming hemoglobin that transports oxygen.

 

Iron is not only essential for forming hemoglobin in our bodies but also a vital nutrient for energy production, immune system strengthening, growth, and development. It is indispensable for energy production in cellular mitochondria and has a significant impact on the growth and development of pregnant women and children.

 

Accordingly, iron deficiency not only causes anemia but also impairs immune cell function, increasing the risk of infection. If you experience fatigue, headaches, loss of appetite, or cold hands and feet, it may be a sign of iron deficiency.

 

It is known that about one-third of the global population actually experiences iron deficiency symptoms, and anemia, a common symptom of iron deficiency, has recently seen a rapid increase in the number of patients.

 

In the case of cancer patients, increased synthesis of hepcidin, a hormone that inhibits iron absorption, along with malnutrition, reduces iron absorption rates and decreases iron intake, leading to iron deficiency. In pancreatic cancer, iron deficiency occurs in 63.2% of patients, and more than 50% of patients with colorectal and lung cancers are reported to exhibit symptoms of iron deficiency.

 

In addition, iron deficiency is also common among patients with chronic kidney disease, women of reproductive age, patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and patients with heart failure. In heart failure patients, iron deficiency manifests due to nutritional deficiencies and inflammation, affecting exercise capacity and quality of life, increasing the risk of hospitalization, and raising cardiovascular-related mortality, making treatment essential.

 

Methods to supplement iron in daily life include consuming meat, fish, legumes, and vegetables.

 

In addition to oral medications, iron deficiency can be supplemented with injections that provide high doses of iron in a short period of time. Recently, high-dose iron injections that can replenish up to 1000 mg of iron in a minimum of 15 minutes per day have been covered by health insurance.