Iron is a crucial mineral our body requires for performing various functions. Iron is an element found in hemoglobin, a protein that helps capture oxygen from the lungs and transport it throughout the body. If the body does not have hemoglobin, the body muscles and tissues will not receive oxygen and perform their function effectively, causing anemia. Anemia is a health condition in which, due to iron deficiency, less iron is present in red blood cells. It cannot adequately transport oxygen to different muscles and tissues, causing you to feel tired and weak. It is both an acute and chronic condition.
Different Types Of Anemia
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- Aplastic Anemia
In this type of anemia, the body stops producing any new red blood cells. This causes you to feel more fatigued, and you can quickly get infected.
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- Iron Deficiency Anemia
This happens due to a lack of iron in the body, due to which blood lacks red blood cells. This, therefore, results in less production of hemoglobin, making you feel short of breath.
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- Sickle Cell Anemia
This inherited disorder happens due to a lack of healthy blood cells, and the red blood cells are shaped like a Crescent moon or sickled rather than being round.
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- Thalassemia
The hemoglobin level in the body is much lower than required, decreasing oxygen transportation.
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- Vitamin Deficiency Anemia
An individual lacks healthy blood cells due to specific vitamins like folate, B-12, and vitamin C.
Causes
Causes of an iron deficiency depend from individual to individual. Certain common causes include:
- Foremost the main reason may be due to a lack of intake of iron in your food.
- A person with inflammatory bowel disease
- During pregnancy, the iron demand in your body increases.
- Heavy blood loss during periods.
The Symptoms Caused Due To Lack Of Iron Are Different For Every Individual And Also Depends Upon The Severity Of The Iron Deficiency
Unusual Tiredness
Feeling tired is a common symptom for people who have a lack of iron. This happens because the body lacks hemoglobin, which plays an essential role in carrying oxygen throughout the body. If the amount of hemoglobin in the body is less, the amount of oxygen that is supposed to reach tissues and muscles is less, depriving them of energy. This also makes your heart work more to produce oxygen-rich blood.
Feeling tired is an overall outcome of the lifestyle we have. This is accompanied by low energy and weakness. One might also find difficulty in concentrating. If you observe yourself feeling tired while doing regular work, it is advisable to consult your doctor and run a blood test to check the hemoglobin level in the body.
Paleness
Paleness could be a common symptom that indicates you might have iron deficiency. The red color of the blood is due to hemoglobin present in the blood cells. Low levels of hemoglobin cause the blood to become paler. This causes the skin to lose its healthy color or warmth and may look pale. You can confirm this through blood tests. Paleness can be more noticeable in mild to severe cases of anemia.
Shortness Of Breath
In red blood cells, hemoglobin helps in carrying oxygen. When hemoglobin level is lower than usual due to lack of iron, the oxygen level drops. This causes your muscles to receive a lower amount of oxygen for performing routine activities. Hence the rate at which you breathe increases. Since your body tries to get extra oxygen, causing shortness of breath, this could happen while walking, working out, or climbing stairs. One should consult their doctor and run a blood test.
