Often feel tired and giddy, while not doing heavy physical activity. Be careful, it could be a sign of less blood. Blood deficiency or anemia is a condition that occurs because the body does not have enough red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout the body.
There are various types of anemia, ranging from iron deficiency anemia, vitamin deficiency anemia, anemia caused by pregnancy, as well as plastic anemia. However, the anemia most often suffered by some people is iron deficiency anemia. This condition occurs when the body lacks iron that is required in producing red blood cells.
People with iron deficiency anemia will generally experience symptoms of fatigue, dizziness, difficulty concentration, headache, tingling, pale skin, cold hands and feet, decreased appetite, as well as heart palpitations.
Low or less blood hemoglobin levels have various impacts on the body of the sufferer. The light weight due to less blood will depend on the cause and low levels of Hb that can be known through blood screening.
Hemoglobin is a red molecule which is teable in any red blood cells with the main function of oxygen binding. A person is said to be less blood or anemia, when the hemoglobin level is below normal value. Normal Hb level in men is 13.5 grams/100 ml and in females 12.0 grams/100 ml.
Following are the symptoms and consequences of red blood deficiency quoted from Alodokter.com and honestDocs.com
1. Frequent infections
The spleen is one of the body's organs that helps fight infections. When the body lacks red blood cells, it can reduce the supply of oxygen to the spleen. Therefore, the spleen is not able to work optimally in preventing infection.
In addition to spleen, organs that also play a role in fighting infections are lymph nodes. This Organ is the place of white blood cells as a shield against infection. When the body is deficient in iron, the supply of oxygen to the lymph nodes decreases so that it cannot produce the maximum white blood cells. As a result, the body becomes easier to experience infection. This is where the role of iron in supporting the immune system.
2. Tired and weak
The first complaint felt by anemia is generally tired and limper due to lack of energy. This can cause a person to be less productive in work, and find it difficult to stay awake so it is often sleepy.
Fatigue after the day of activity is natural, but when a person is less blood, the fatigue is still present even though it is already rested. Even without the preceded the heavy activation of the fatigue and lethargic remains felt throughout the day.
3. Pale
Low Hb levels are characterized by lips and skin becomes pale. It is difficult to detect it when a person's lips and skin are dark.
Therefore, one of the best ways to know if you suffer from anemia is to see the mucous membrane of the eye. This area is rich in blood vessels so that when pale, it is a sign that the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells.
4. Shortness of breath (quick breath)
The result of less blood is shortness of breath. This happens when the body feels lacking in oxygen, as the mechanism of the lung compensation will breathe with a faster frequency to meet the oxygen demand.
5. Heart palpitations
Along with the rapid breath, the heart also works extra to deliver blood that contains only a small amount of oxygen. The heartbeat will be faster than normal, pounding in the chest, and sometimes the decisness of lying down.
This condition does not occur in people with mild anemia, but in severe anemia where the level of Hb is very low. If this continues to be ignored without proper handling, then the heart can fail to run its function, a.k.a. heart failure.
6. Anxiety
A pounding heart can make people feel anxious, but if the anxiety is only just happening and not accompanied by other symptoms due to less blood, then it could be another result.
7. Frequent dizziness
As with other organs, the brain also requires oxygen. If the oxygen supply to the brain is insufficient, a dizzy or even faint complaint may occur.
8. Cold Hand feet even numb
One of the mechanisms of body compensation when lacking blood or anemia, namely prioritizing blood flow to the vital organs such as the brain, liver, kidneys are generally located in the torso.
Thus, blood flow to the extremities such as hands and feet become fewer. This is what makes people with blood deficiency often complain of cold hands, tingling, and even numbness.
9. Hair loss
Hair that is falling as much as 100 strands per day is still considered into normal conditions. However, if hair loss occurs excessively and making hair does not grow back, there is a chance that you experience iron deficiency.
When the body is deficient in iron, the supply of oxygen to the hair follicles decreases, thus making the scalp dry and weak. This condition triggers excessive hair loss and makes the hair stop to grow. But do not worry, because when the iron is fulfilled and you are free from less blood, generally the hair can grow back.
10. Pregnancy risk
Pregnant women with severe anemia have an increased risk of complications, especially during pregnancy and after birth. Postnatal depression may also occur in some women.
Research suggests babies born from mothers who have untreated anemia are more likely to be born prematurely-before weeks to 37 pregnancies, have low birth weight, have problems with iron levels, the most common type of anemia in Pregnant women are iron deficiency anemia.
11. Swollen tongue
Less blood can make organs throughout the body will experience lack of oxygen. This condition can cause the muscles throughout the body to multiply the swelling, including the tongue muscles. If this is the case, the tongue will become swollen and painful. In addition to the swollen tongue, less blood can also result in the mouth and angle of the lips becoming dry and cracked.
12. Restless leg syndrome
Iron deficiency can make the sufferer experience leg restless syndrome or restlessness feet. In this syndrome, there is a vibration that spreads on the legs, some kind of electric power. This makes the sufferer have the urge to keep moving the legs like someone who is nervous.
13. Stroke
In sickle-cell anemia, red blood cells are crescent-shaped normally in a disc or disc. This abnormal cell shape causes it to be easily snagged in small veins, blocking normal blood flow.
People with high risk sickle cell anemia are affected by stroke, because sickle-shaped cells can easily be gathered together, forming mass (freezing) that obstructs blood flow in the blood vessels of the brain.
Not only in the brain, blood flow in the legs can also be obstructed causing pain or even serious ischemia that requires amputation.