If your days are clouded by fatigue and you can’t seem to shake off that tiredness, you might be battling a common foe: iron deficiency anemia. This condition robs your body of its vitality, impacting your daily life more than you might realize.
Symptoms
· Fatigue: This isn’t just feeling tired after a long day; it’s a deep, persistent kind of tired that doesn’t improve with rest.
· Shortness of Breath: Struggling to breathe deeply or catch your breath, even when you’re not exerting yourself.
· Dizziness: A sensation of being unsteady or lightheaded, as if the world is spinning slightly.
· Fast or Irregular Heartbeat: Your heart might feel like it’s doing a sprint when you’re just sitting.
· Pulsatile Tinnitus: An odd “whooshing” sound in your ears, like the distant rhythm of waves.
· Headaches: Persistent or frequent headaches can be a sign, too.
· Pale or Yellow Skin: A noticeable loss of color in your complexion.
· Chest Pain: An uncomfortable pressure or squeezing sensation in your chest area.
How do I know for sure if I have anemia?
Feeling fatigued is one thing, but how do you tell if it’s anemia? The answer lies in a simple visit to your healthcare provider. They’ll dive into your symptoms and run a Complete Blood Count (CBC) test. They use this test to check on all of your blood cells, especially your red blood cells. In Nigeria? Drop by our state-of-the-art diagnostic centers to get tested.
What can be done?
Remember the old saying, “You are what you eat”? Well, poor diet causes iron-deficiency anemia, which means you can prevent it by eating a healthy diet. But fear not, this means you have the power to prevent and fight it with the right food choices. Check out our “Ten Foods to Boost Iron” article, and when you cook, use an iron pot to give your food an extra iron boost. Apart from diet, your doctor might suggest taking supplements and you’ll be feeling better before you know it.
Conclusion
In a world where everyone is constantly on the go, feeling exhausted all the time can feel like you’re fighting a losing battle. With a mix of dietary changes, possible supplements, and professional advice, you can send this energy thief packing and step back into your life with renewed zest.
References:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8266402/
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/3929-anemia
