Corona virus continues to spread widely throughout the world. The successive waves of the pandemic have reconsidered the ways in which COVID-19 has affected different parts and aspects of our bodies. As he approaches his third year,.
A statistic for “Archyde.com” showed that more than 556.34 million people were infected with the emerging coronavirus worldwide, while the total number of deaths resulting from the virus reached 6 million and 779,979. Done Virus cases recorded in more than 210 countries and regions since the first cases were discovered in China in December 2019.
Even after recovery, the Corona virus leaves traces of its existence, as those who have been diagnosed with Corona virus continue to face a variety of health problems, in what is known as “long-term Covid.” However, there can be other physiological signs of transmission of the virus through the human body, including iron deficiency, according to the Express Times.
The body needs iron to make red blood cells, which are used to transport oxygen around the body. Iron deficiency is a complex condition that occurs when the body lacks adequate iron levels, which limits the performance of vital functions and poses many health risks.
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Iron deficiency symptoms
If someone is iron deficient, this can lead to iron deficiency anemia, whose symptoms include:
• Fatigue and lack of energy
• Shortness of breath
• Heart palpitations
• pale skin
A simple blood test will usually be able to confirm whether a person has iron deficiency anemia. According to Dr. Ankita Pedia from HCMCT Hospitals Manipal, iron deficiency can be a sign of someone having COVID-19.
“Various studies have found increases in inflammatory markers in severe COVID-19 patients, which actually produce hepcidin – an important chemical released from the liver, which helps regulate and absorb iron in cells,” she said.
Dr. Bedia also added that patients with severe Covid disease had high levels of ferritin, a protein in the blood known to contain iron.
For her part, Edwina Raj, a clinical dietitian, said that the association of Covid-19 with iron deficiency can be caused by acute inflammation in the body.
Raj noted: “This disruption of iron metabolism can affect overall health and delay recovery from illness.
“Patients recovering from COVID-19 continue to report extreme fatigue, shortness of breath, poor appetite, chest pain, dizziness, cognitive impairment, and hair loss,” she added.
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Anemia treatment
Treatment for iron deficiency anemia largely depends on the cause of the deficiency.
The NHS says: “If a blood test shows that your red blood cell count is low, you should use iron tablets to replace the iron lost from the body.”
In addition to the tablets, patients can also eat iron-rich foods such as dark green leafy vegetables, cereals, fortified bread, meat, and dried fruits such as apricots and beans.
In addition to eating more certain foods, health experts also recommend eating less tea, coffee, milk and its derivatives, and foods high in phytic acid.
Similar to other deficiencies, iron deficiency anemia can have a number of causes such as taking certain anti-inflammatory medications, stomach ulcers, enteritis, and cancer of the intestine or stomach.
Before iron deficiency is linked to COVID-19, it is important to note that further studies are needed to conclude this association.
If such contact is identified, it will be added to the long list of complications associated with COVID-19.