7 symptoms that can 'betray' you have anemia

Anemia is one of the most common blood disorders. Symptoms of anemia can appear differently, depending on how mild or severe the anemia is. Women are especially susceptible to anemia.

Exhaustion and fatigue are common symptoms of anemia. Photo: Shutterstock

Anemia is typically caused by a lower-than-normal level of red blood cells or a lack of hemoglobin, which carries oxygen from the lungs throughout the body. Women and people with chronic illnesses are most susceptible to anemia due to menstrual cycles, childbirth, surgery, or ulcers, according to MSN.

Symptoms of anemia can vary depending on the severity, but the most common symptoms are:

1. Headache, dizziness

Headaches and dizziness are signs of iron deficiency. In addition, low hemoglobin levels in red blood cells can also cause dizziness because the body lacks oxygen to the brain, according to MSN.

2. Rapid heartbeat

Increased heart rate can be a sign of iron deficiency. In addition, low haemoglobin causes the heart to work harder to carry oxygen to other parts of the body, making us feel like our heart is beating faster. In severe cases, it can lead to a heart attack or even heart failure.

3. Exhaustion, fatigue

These are common symptoms of anemia. The cause is that the body lacks oxygen, so the body cannot absorb nutrients well to create energy, making the body feel tired.

4. Restlessness and tingling in the legs

Iron deficiency can cause restless legs syndrome (RLS), which causes uncomfortable sensations in the legs and an urge to move them. They may also experience tingling in the feet and legs. Iron supplements may help relieve these symptoms.

5. Pale skin

Pale skin is a common sign of anemia. It can appear all over the body or in specific areas such as the face, inside the eyelids or lips. In healthy people, the inside of their eyelids is bright red, while people with anemia will have pale pink or pale yellow, according to MSN.

6. Cold hands and feet

People with anemia often experience cold hands and feet. This is because blood does not circulate well to those parts, making them cold even in the hot summer months.

7. Feeling anxious

Iron deficiency causes the sympathetic nervous system to be deprived of oxygen, causing a rapid heartbeat and anxiety. This becomes a more obvious sign of anemia if anxiety occurs without any anxiety triggers.

People who are often anemic should see a doctor for proper treatment. In addition, their bodies need to supplement foods rich in iron such as beef, dark green leafy vegetables, fruits, nuts. At the same time, they can use more foods rich in vitamin B12 such as meat, milk, orange juice, tangerine juice, etc.

According to TNO