What is iron deficiency anemia? As we know, red blood cells contain hemoglobin, which in turn contains iron. If we lack iron in our body, the synthesis of hemoglobin will be affected, which in turn will cause an impairment in the production of red blood cells, resulting in what is called “iron deficiency anemia”. What are the causes of iron deficiency anemia? Or what causes our body to have less “iron”? To put it simply, it is “less in” and “more out”. There are two kinds of situations. One is a normal phenomenon, such as in fast-growing infants and children, as well as pregnant or breastfeeding women, the need for iron increases exponentially, but there is often a “shortage of supply”, resulting in iron deficiency anemia. There is also a malfunction in the absorption of iron, but in today’s age of great material abundance, this is becoming less and less common. It may still occur in some remote mountainous areas. The most common and most important cause of iron deficiency anemia is blood loss, especially chronic blood loss, which is caused by various diseases. Such as gastrointestinal bleeding, various cancers, hookworm disease, hemorrhoids bleeding, etc. Having said that, there is a phenomenon that is easily overlooked, and that is excessive menstruation in women. Many women tend to think that this is normal, but of course, we can’t rule out the possibility that some women have more periods than others in the absence of disease. However, if you do have a heavy period, I think it’s a good idea to get it checked out. I have met several cough patients, all women, who had their blood work checked and found that along with inflammation of the respiratory tract, there was a significant decrease in hemoglobin, or hematocrit. Upon closer questioning, they all had relatively heavy menstrual periods, and a further gynecologic ultrasound revealed the presence of huge uterine fibroids! When it comes to early detection, the easiest way is actually to go to the hospital for a routine blood count, also known as a blood cell analysis. In adult men, if the hemoglobin is below 12.5g/dl (grams per deciliter) and in adult women, if the hemoglobin is below 11.0g/dl, you can be considered to have anemia. Of course, the criteria for children are different from this. However, being identified as anemic is not the same as being iron deficiency anemia. It has to be further clarified by taking blood for serum iron and serum ferritin. Even a bone aspiration should be done to check the bone marrow. Moreover, in early iron deficiency, it does not necessarily mean anemia, but the blood routine can be applied extremely conveniently, and is one of the most important means of self-monitoring. The previous are all laboratory indicators, what might be the manifestations of iron deficiency anemia if it is present? Of course, the manifestations will be different for each different disease, but once anemia occurs, there will be some similar symptoms that occur. Such as feeling weak, yellowish or even pale; constant headache, dizziness, lack of concentration, constant dozing, pale lips and nails, dry skin, not wanting to eat, bloated stomach, even panic, shortness of breath, inflammation of the corners of the mouth, etc., all may be signs of iron deficiency anemia. If you have these signs, then please go to the hospital for a blood test. According to Chinese medicine, “the heart turns red into blood”, so anemia has a lot to do with the normal function of the heart, and the heart’s five elements are fire, and its color is red. Therefore, eating red food regularly can help to prevent or improve anemia to a certain extent. Even some mild anemia can be restored to normal by such diet therapy. At the same time, Qi and blood are closely related. Our qi is dominated by the lungs, which are in the five elements of gold and are white in color, so eating appropriate white foods can also be helpful for anemia. If we look at the five elements, we will also find that since wood produces fire, and among the five colors, green is wood, therefore, eating green foods can also help prevent and treat anemia. The kidney is the master of bone and marrow, and with the understanding of modern medicine, then we can strengthen the function of the kidney by eating black food, which will stimulate the bone marrow and achieve the purpose of blood production. In addition, the spleen is the source of Qi and blood biochemistry, the five elements of the spleen are earth, its color is yellow, therefore, eating yellow food, naturally, helps the transformation of Qi and blood, and also helps correct anemia. In fact, according to Chinese medicine, “the spleen is the source of Qi and blood biochemistry”, and our diet is absorbed and transported through the spleen, so it can be seen that as long as the spleen functions properly, then no matter what we eat, we can produce Qi and blood. So, combined with the previous discussion, we believe that for patients with anemia, especially iron deficiency anemia, we should pay attention to strengthening the function of the spleen, and at the same time, eat more red foods appropriately, which will be very beneficial for the prevention and correction of anemia. Speaking of strengthening the function of the spleen, the author recalls a case recently treated, an elderly female patient. She had diabetes mellitus and anemia, and her blood sugar was high, around 20 mmol/L, but she did not want to be hospitalized or use insulin; and she had been anemic for many years, and she had been examined several times and had a bone marrow aspiration, but the cause could not be clarified. The hematocrit was only a little more than 6 grams. According to his performance, he was given a herbal formula to strengthen his spleen, and two weeks later, his blood glucose dropped and his hematocrit increased by 1 gram.