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Sign And Symptoms Of Iron Deficiency Anemia?
Pallor
Pallor refers to an unusually pale appearance caused by reduced blood flow to the tissues. Red blood cells (RBCs) carry hemoglobin, the molecule responsible for the red color of blood.
Hemoglobin binds to oxygen and travels through the blood vessels, delivering oxygen to the body’s tissues, which creates a reddish tone under the skin.
Fatigue
Fatigue is a severe form of tiredness that affects daily life, making it hard to get up, work, or engage in usual activities. It feels like an overwhelming need for sleep, yet rest doesn’t provide relief.
Common symptoms include low energy, lack of motivation, trouble concentrating, depression, anxiety, irritability, and muscle pain. It may be temporary or chronic, lasting six months or more.
Weakness
Weakness from iron deficiency anemia occurs due to the lack of sufficient red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout the body. This results in feelings of fatigue, low energy, and muscle weakness.
People with iron deficiency anemia may feel easily exhausted, have difficulty performing physical tasks, and experience shortness of breath or dizziness even with mild exertion.
Headache
Dizziness
Dizziness is a feeling of lightheadedness, unsteadiness, or the sensation that you or your surroundings are spinning (vertigo).
Symptoms may accompany nausea, blurred vision, or a sense of faintness. Treatment depends on the underlying cause and may involve hydration, rest, or medication. If dizziness persists, it’s important to consult a healthcare professional.
Frail & Broken Nails
Frail and broken nails are often signs of underlying health issues or deficiencies. Frail nails may be thin, brittle, or prone to splitting, while broken nails can result from trauma or improper care. Common causes include nutritional deficiencies (such as lack of biotin or iron), excessive exposure to water or chemicals, dehydration, and certain medical conditions like hypothyroidism or psoriasis.
To improve nail health, it’s essential to maintain a balanced diet, practice good nail hygiene, and consider moisturizing to prevent brittleness. If the problem persists, consulting a healthcare professional is advisable.
Alopecia
Alopecia refers to hair loss, which can manifest in several forms, including alopecia areata (sudden, patchy hair loss affecting any area of the body), androgenetic alopecia
(hereditary male or female pattern baldness causing gradual thinning), alopecia totalis (complete hair loss on the scalp), and alopecia universalis (total loss of hair on the entire body).
Atrophic Glossitis
Atrophic glossitis, also known as “smooth tongue,” is a condition where the tongue loses its papillae, making it appear glossy and smooth.
This can lead to discomfort, pain, and difficulty with chewing, swallowing, or speaking. Atrophic glossitis is often caused by nutritional deficiencies, such as low levels of iron, B vitamins, or folic acid, and can also be linked to infections or underlying health conditions.
Pica-compulsive behaviour to eat non-nutritive substances such as clay,paper and ice
Decreased Attention
Decreased attention leads to difficulty focusing, poor concentration, memory issues, and reduced mental clarity. Iron deficiency can make it harder to stay alert and process information effectively.
Iron deficiency has been recognized as a significant cause of cognitive impairment, learning disabilities, and psychomotor instability. Low serum ferritin levels may contribute to ADHD symptoms due to central dopaminergic dysfunction.
Decreased Exercise Tolerance
Decreased Exercise intolerance is the decreased ability to perform physical activities. Movement requires coordination between different body systems, and issues with the heart, lungs, or muscles can cause this intolerance.
People with the condition may struggle to reach the typical maximum heart rate for their age and may only use 60% to 70% of the oxygen compared to someone without the condition, often due to heart problems like heart failure.