Iron deficiency is quite a common health problem for many people. If you don’t take it serious, this condition may seriously affect your body’s general health. Iron is an essential element in the development of hemoglobin, a substance responsible for carrying oxygen to the tissues of your body. If the iron levels in your blood are low you can develop several symptoms. Unfortunately many people often overlook or mistake such signs for other diseases. It thus becomes paramount to recognize these signs of iron deficiency and take appropriate steps in consulting a physician for iron injection in Sydney. We shall go through some significant symptoms to watch for and why it is imperative to catch an iron deficiency in its early stages.
Chronic Fatigue and Body Weakness
Fatigue and a general feeling of weakness are among the most common signs related to iron deficiency. Low oxygen supply to the muscles and tissues because of the need to manufacture hemoglobin makes one feel tired and drained even when only doing minimal activity. When you constantly find yourself being worn out, though you get enough rest, it may be due to your body not getting enough iron.
Pale or Yellowish Skin
Hemoglobin gives blood the natural red color that makes your skin look healthy. Thus, if your iron levels go down, the lesser amount of hemoglobin in the blood may be responsible for pale skin. The paleness often becomes very prominent on the face, lips, or even gums. Sometimes, the skin may also have a more yellowish hue, especially in skins richly pigmented with melanin. For example, if your skin tone appears, checking your iron levels could be helpful.
Shortness of Breath
Unexplained shortness of breath- an inability to catch one’s breath even after light activities is caused by an iron deficiency. Low iron reduces oxygen being ferried to your muscles, with your heart needing to work extra to get the oxygen you need. Lack of breath during ordinary activities is a red flag and should not be ignored.
The feeling of Dizziness and Repeated Headaches
Iron deficiency reduces amount of oxygen that reaches your brain. As a result, this may make you experience frequent headaches and dizziness. This is likely from your brain’s blood vessels expanding and becoming painful when less oxygen reaches them. If you get headaches or feel lightheaded rather frequently, this, too, can be because of iron deficiency.
Brittle Nails and Hair Loss
An iron deficiency makes the parts fragile. Changes in the nails may be noted, where these become brittle and split easily. At times, hair loss arises from deficiencies in the supply of oxygen to the growing hair follicles. When hair thins and the nails break, this sends an important warning signal that one must not ignore.
Cravings for Strange Things
A relatively rare but significant symptom of iron deficiency is a craving to eat things that are not nutritious, like ice, dirt, and sometimes even paper. This condition is commonly known as pica, where a link is believed to occur with the body’s attempt to substitute for the lacking nutrient. Although it’s not fully understood, the cause of pica makes strange cravings a sure symptom of iron deficiency, especially if one craves things that are generally not eaten as food.
Signs and symptoms of iron deficiency range from generalized symptoms such as tiredness, weakness, brittleness of nails, and even cravings for odd things such as food. Knowing these signs pays off, for the earlier a deficiency is treated; the better it is to avoid further complications affecting your quality of life. Do you think you are iron deficient? Contact your healthcare provider for iron injection in Sydney and get tested.
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