Often feel tired and dizzy, even though you are not doing strenuous physical activity. Be careful, this could be a sign of lack of blood. Lack of blood or anemia is a condition that occurs when 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, and aplastic anemia. However, the most common anemia suffered by some people is iron deficiency anemia. This condition occurs when the body lacks iron which is needed to produce red blood cells.
Patients with iron deficiency anemia will generally experience symptoms of fatigue, dizziness, difficulty concentrating, headaches, tingling, pale skin, cold hands and feet, decreased appetite, and heart palpitations.
In fact, many people still don't realize that they have anemia and don't think these symptoms are a sign of lack of blood. And keep in mind, although the symptoms are similar to low blood pressure, these two conditions are not the same.
Various Signs of Lack of Blood
In addition to fatigue, looking pale, headache, dizziness, and heart palpitations, there are signs of anemia that are rarely known in general, namely:
- Frequent infections
In addition to the spleen, the body's organs that also play a role in fighting infection are the lymph nodes. This organ is a place for white blood cells as a shield against infection. If the body lacks iron, the supply of oxygen to the lymph nodes is reduced, so it cannot produce white blood cells optimally. As a result, the body becomes more susceptible to infection. This is where the role of iron in supporting the immune system.
- Hair loss
When the body lacks iron, the supply of oxygen to the hair follicles is reduced, making the scalp dry and weak. This condition triggers excessive hair loss and makes hair stop growing. But don't worry, because when you have enough iron and you are free from anemia, hair can usually grow back.
- Swollen tongueLack of blood can make organs throughout the body will experience a lack of oxygen. This condition can cause muscles throughout the body to swell, including the tongue muscles. If this happens, the tongue will become swollen and painful. In addition to a swollen tongue, lack of blood can also cause the mouth and the corners of the lips to become dry and cracked.
- syndrome restless legIron deficiency can make sufferers suffer from syndrome restless leg or restless legs. In this syndrome, there is a vibration that travels down the leg, a kind of electric current. This makes the sufferer have the urge to keep moving the legs like someone who is restless.
So that you do not experience anemia and eventually cause the things above, meet your daily iron needs. One way is to prioritize iron intake from daily food. For anemia caused by certain diseases, this condition needs to be checked by a doctor so that it can be treated according to the cause.