Iron deficiency can happen to anyone. Unfortunately, not everyone knows what the signs of iron deficiency are. In fact, if left unchecked, iron deficiency can cause various health problems.
Iron is the main component of hemoglobin in red blood cells, which functions to bind oxygen to be circulated throughout the body. Lack of iron intake not only makes the body weak, but also more susceptible to disease, because iron also plays a role in the body's immune system.
Signs of Iron Deficiency
Here are some signs of iron deficiency to watch out for:
1. Tired and short of breath
Fatigue caused by iron deficiency is different from that experienced during strenuous activity. Fatigue due to iron deficiency is generally accompanied by other symptoms, such as weakness, difficulty concentrating, and irritability.
In addition, iron deficiency can also inhibit the supply of oxygen throughout the body, so sufferers can experience shortness of breath. These complaints can even appear even if you only do light activities that you are used to.
2. Face looks pale
In addition to fatigue, someone who suffers from iron deficiency will also look paler. This is because when there is iron deficiency, the body will produce less hemoglobin than usual. The effect, the red hue on the skin will be reduced so that the skin finally looks paler.
To find out whether your face is pale or not, the easiest way to detect it is to look at the lower eyelid area, on the inside. If the color looks paler or not as bright and red as usual, you could be iron deficient.
Other areas that also need to be examined are the lips or gums. If your lips and gums appear paler than usual, then you may be iron deficient. For convenience, you can compare it with the color of the lips and gums of other people who are healthy.
3. Frequent infections
A person who is deficient in iron is more susceptible to infection. This is because iron is an important part of the immune system or immune system, as well as supporting the formation of white blood cells that function to fight infections that attack the body.
4. Swollen tongue
Reduced oxygen supply due to lack of iron in the body can make the muscles, including the tongue, become swollen and painful. In addition, the sides of the mouth will also look cracked. Likewise, the color of the tongue will look pale, because the color of the tongue is influenced by red blood cells.
5. Hair loss
Hair loss is a sign of iron deficiency, especially if you have anemia. Lack of iron causes hair follicles to not get adequate oxygen, because in this condition, the body will focus oxygen on vital organs that are considered more important. Be careful if you lose more than 100 strands of hair per day, especially if it doesn't grow back quickly.
6. The desire to consume food that is not common
The next sign of iron deficiency is craving for unconventional foods, such as clay, chalk, and paper. This sign is rare but very dangerous, because it can cause poisoning or blockage of the digestive tract.
If you experience signs of iron deficiency, immediately consult a doctor. The doctor will perform a complete blood test to determine your hemoglobin level and red blood cell count, as well as other tests to determine the cause. To overcome iron deficiency, doctors can provide iron supplements as needed.