What are the Symptoms of Iron Deficiency Anemia?
Anemia is low (lower than normal) hemoglobin level in blood. Iron deficiency anemia is one of the common forms of anemia, especially in the developing countries where number of causes of iron deficiency anemia exists. In the developed countries iron deficiency anemia is less commonly seen and the causes of iron deficiency in developing countries differ from that of developed countries. Iron deficiency anemia occurs due to lack of adequate number of mature and healthy red cells due to deficient iron. Red blood cells (hemoglobin present in red blood cells) are responsible for carrying oxygen to the tissues. If there is inadequate number of mature (healthy) red cells the oxygenation of tissues suffer and the patient suffering from iron deficiency anemia become weak, and easily get tired.
Iron deficiency anemia occurs due to deficiency of iron (as the name suggests) and due insufficient iron there is less hemoglobin in the red blood cells and as a result the tissue (including heart) oxygenation suffers and the patient become weak, pale and easily fatigued.
What are the symptoms of iron deficiency anemia?
If iron deficiency anemia is mild there may not be any symptoms and the disease may go unnoticed or may be detected only during routine investigation for other medical condition. But if the disease progress the signs and symptoms of iron deficiency anemia become apparent.
The symptoms of iron deficiency anemia includes,
- Pale skin
- Generalized weakness, fatigue, shortness of breath
- Headache, lightheadedness, dizziness
- Cold extremities (hands and feet)
- Brittle nails (clubbing of nails) on long run
- Increased risk of infection, soreness of tongue or inflammation of tongue
- High pulse rate
- Unusual cravings for non-nutritive substances, such as dirt, mud, etc. especially among children.
- Failure to thrive among children.
- Loss of appetite or poor appetite
If you or your children have symptoms suggestive of iron deficiency anemia, you should consult a doctor. Do not start taking iron supplementation on your own, as it may lead to complications.
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