Anemia occurs when the amount of red blood cells in your blood is decreased, making it harder to deliver oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body. Anemia is more likely in those who have cancer, an autoimmune condition, or have heavy periods.
Anemia is often treated by taking nutrients or drugs that help your blood produce more red blood cells. If your anemia is severe, you may require intravenous medications, blood transfusions, or even surgery.
There are several forms of anemia depending on the cause, but many of the symptoms are the same. Anemia symptoms include headaches, fatigue, and shortness of breath.
The severity of your symptoms will depend on the severity of your anemia and how rapidly it develops. You may have no symptoms at all in the early stages of anemia. If your anemia is not treated, your symptoms may increase as it worsens.
Fatigue and extreme tiredness
The most prevalent sign of iron deficiency anemia is exhaustion or tiredness. Aplastic anemia and hemolytic anemia are also connected with the syndrome.
Red blood cells transport oxygen throughout the body, and the body requires oxygen to function. When your red blood cell count is low, your body's tissues and muscles are deprived of oxygen and energy.
Furthermore, your heart is working harder than usual to circulate the oxygen-rich blood that you do have throughout your body. All of these factors, when combined, can result in excessive exhaustion and fatigue.
Fair Skin
Pale skin is frequent in all forms of anemia. Blood flow is connected to pallor. When you have fewer red blood cells, less of that red blood flows to the surface, causing your skin to lose color.
When diagnosing anemia, one of the first things a healthcare expert would look for is pale skin.
Paleness might cover the entire body or be restricted to a specific location. People suffering from anemia may detect paleness on their nails, hands, and around their eyes.
Headaches
Headaches, and even migraines, are frequent with several kinds of anemia, although the cause is unknown. Iron deficiency, the most prevalent form of anemia, may be the fundamental cause of the headaches, according to some data. This may be especially true for women and girls, as well as during menstruation.
Anemia is also thought to be a risk factor for idiopathic intracranial hypertension, a disorder characterized by elevated pressure surrounding the brain, among other symptoms. This somewhat uncommon condition primarily affects obese adult women.
Breathing Problems
When your hemoglobin (a protein in red blood that transports oxygen) levels are low during anemia, so are your oxygen levels. As a result, your muscles and tissues are starved of oxygen-rich blood.
When this happens, basic, everyday actions such as walking, climbing stairs, or even making the bed might become difficult. You may feel out of breath and dizzy or lightheaded at times.
If you are constantly out of breath, it is critical that you contact a healthcare physician straight away. Shortness of breath is not just an indication of anemia, but it might also be a sign of another dangerous medical disease.
Palpitations or an irregular heartbeat
Hemoglobin aids in the transfer of oxygen throughout the body. When you have anemia, your heart has to work harder to transfer oxygen because your hemoglobin levels are low.
This additional pressure on your heart may cause irregular heartbeats or the sensation that your heart is pounding too quickly or irregularly. More study, however, is required to validate this link.
Changes in Nail, Skin, and Hair
Koilonychia is a nail deformity caused by anemia. This disorder is commonly seen in chronic iron shortage and is characterized by thin, brittle, and spoonshaped nails.
Anemia may also be associated with dry skin and hair loss, since low oxygen levels can induce dryness and weakness. You may notice that your hair is not growing or that you are losing more hair than usual if you have iron-deficiency anemia.
It is critical to consult a healthcare practitioner if you detect any changes in your nails, hair, or skin. Even if the changes are unrelated to anemia, they may indicate another medical disease.
Tongue Swelling or Pain
Anemia can sometimes be seen on the inside of your mouth or on your tongue. One research, for example, discovered that 76% of participants with iron deficiency anemia experienced a burning feeling in their tongue.
In the same research, participants experienced irritation, dry mouth, and a smooth, pale, and swollen tongue.16 Other signs of anemia include mouth ulcers and painful, red splits at the corners of the mouth.
Nerve Injury
Nerve damage may occur if you have pernicious anemia, which is caused by a vitamin B12 deficiency. Tingling and numbness in your hands and feet might result from this injury.
You may also lose your reflexes and develop muscular weakness as a result of the nerve injury. This might cause you to feel shaky on your feet, have balance problems, and struggle to walk.
Symptoms of Anemia in Children
Children and newborns might suffer from iron deficiency anemia because they develop quickly and require more iron. Anemia can be caused by eating a low-iron diet or drinking a lot of dairy milk, both of which can interfere with iron absorption.
MedlinePlus. Low iron anemia in newborns and toddlers.
Anemia symptoms in children and newborns include:
- Tiredness
- Breathing difficulty
- Unusual food cravings or a loss of appetite
- Irritability
- Dizziness or headaches
- Tongue ache
- Paleness
- Very pale or blue-tinged whites of the eyes
- Nails that are brittle
When Should You See a Doctor?
If you are suffering any of the aforementioned symptoms, you should seek medical attention. Because mild to moderate anemia is often asymptomatic, even seemingly minor symptoms such as fatigue and headaches might indicate more significant anemia.
Anemia, if left untreated, can lead to major problems such as organ failure and the aggravation of other illnesses such as cardiovascular disease.
People who are pregnant should also consult a healthcare practitioner regarding anemia symptoms. The syndrome can result in premature birth, low birth weight, and an increased risk of anemia in the kid.
A healthcare practitioner can provide a diagnostic to determine whether you have anemia or another medical problem. They can then decide the best treatment strategy for you.
A Quick Recap
Anemia is a disorder in which your blood contains fewer red blood cells than usual. Because red blood cells transport oxygen, this can lower the quantity of oxygen delivered from your lungs to the rest of your body.
Anemia symptoms include fatigue, pallor, and shortness of breath. Headaches, heart palpitations, and changes in hair, skin, and nails are also possible.
Consult your healthcare professional if you have any anemic symptoms. They can determine if you have the illness and assist you in receiving treatment.
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