Symptoms of Anemia

Anemia is defined as the condition of not having enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout the body, and there are many, many forms of it. There are also many types of anemia symptoms. Read on for the anemia symptoms you need to know about.

Being short of breath or dizzy often

Without enough iron or vitamin B12, the body cannot produce enough of a specific type of protein called hemoglobin, which is vital to the functioning of red blood cells. Hemoglobin, which is so rich with iron that it gives blood its red colour, allows oxygen to bond to the cells so the cells can carry it in the bloodstream throughout the body. When there isn’t enough iron or vitamin B12 to create adequate amounts of hemoglobin, some parts of the body will not receive the oxygen they need. Some anemia symptoms are that you’re out of breath easily and sometimes getting so little oxygen to your head that you feel dizzy or lightheaded.

Exhaustion or fatigue

One of the most common (and prominent) anemia symptoms is a general feeling of exhaustion. It is the major symptom. Every person has a different experience of how they notice it. Some will simply feel more tired; others will feel it with activity. The tiredness is caused by the same process that leads to shortness of breath and dizziness.

Pale skin

If you don’t have the healthy red blood cells to fuel your organs with oxygen, you can’t suppose your largest organ (your skin) to look healthy. Without iron or vitamin B12, there might not be enough blood supply to the skin, resulting in a paler, and even sickly-looking, exterior.

Feeling of pain in chest

When there are fewer healthy red blood cells circulating, the heart has to work even harder to move them through the body. As a result, the heart beats faster than normal and you may start to feel the strain as chest pain. This is not a problem to let go, especially if you have other heart problems. It can lead to irregular heartbeats, a heart murmur, an enlarged heart, or even heart failure.

Eating a vegan diet

Because iron is in soy beans, dark green leafy vegetables, and tofu in addition to lean red meat, vegans and vegetarians can still consume the amount of iron their body needs. However, it’s impossible to get vitamin B12 from plant sources. As a result, the only way for those with vegan diets to consume an adequate amount of vitamin B12 is to regularly take a supplement,

Craving of ice cubes and other strange snacks

Perhaps one of the most unusual symptoms of anemia, in particular, is pica, or the propensity to crave non-nutritional items like ice cubes, baking soda, clay, or even pencils or dried paint. Even more interesting is that doctors and researchers still don’t know why patients crave chewing or eating such unusual food substances.

Cold hands and feet

If you notice your ends feeling colder than normal, this could be a sign of iron deficiency or anemia. The reason why is because when you’re anemic, you don’t have enough healthy red blood cells in your body. Iron helps these blood cells deliver heat and nutrients to the rest of your cells.

If you’re experiencing some of these symptoms of anemia and think that you might be anemic, it’s important to consult a doctor for an evaluation to detect accurately which type of anemia you have, and what you should do to cure it. The key is understanding the cause and the deficiency, so you can work with your doctor or a dietitian to remedy your diet.

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