During a community health talk, an elderly gentleman showed me his pale and brittle nails and asked me if it was just a natural sign of old age. This simple interaction reminded me that many people may not be aware of such subtle changes and may actually be an early sign of deeper health problems. In particular, anaemia, a condition that is quite common but often overlooked in the middle-aged and elderly population, not only affects daily vitality and quality of life, but is more likely to be a precursor to serious health problems.
Anemia is not a minor discomfort that can be taken lightly, it is a distress signal from the body that the number or function of red blood cells in our blood is not enough to effectively transport oxygen throughout the body. When your fingers experience symptoms such as paleness, chills, or brittle nails, it can be a direct sign of anemia. These seemingly inconspicuous signs are actually telling you that the body is suffering from a lack of oxygen**.
Anemia revealed: It's not just about feeling tired.
Anemia seems to be an oft-mentioned but widely misunderstood health problem in our lives. It's not just about making you feel tired, it's a complex condition that involves multiple systems in your body and can have a profound impact on your overall health.
What is anemia?
Simply put, anemia is when the number or function of red blood cells in the blood is insufficient, resulting in a decrease in the ability to deliver oxygen to all parts of the body. Red blood cells are one of the main components of blood and are responsible for carrying oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body and carrying carbon dioxide back to the lungs for expulsion by breathing. When the number of red blood cells decreases or their function is impaired, the body's tissues are deprived of oxygen**, causing a range of symptoms and health problems.
The main cause of anemia.
Anemia can be caused by a variety of causes and can be broadly divided into three categories: insufficient production of red blood cells, excessive destruction of red blood cells, and blood loss. Insufficient production of red blood cells may be due to a deficiency of iron, vitamin B12 or folic acid, which are essential for the production of red blood cells. Excessive destruction of red blood cells can be due to certain diseases or genetic conditions, such as sickle cell disease or thalassemia. Blood loss can be due to trauma, surgery, or internal bleeding, such as from the digestive system.
Effects of anemia.
The effects of anemia go far beyond feeling tired or lacking energy. Long-term anemia can lead to an increased burden on the heart because it needs to work harder to ensure that adequate oxygen is delivered throughout the body. This can further lead to heart disease or other complications. In addition, anemia may affect cognitive function, leading to difficulty concentrating and memory loss. In pregnant women, severe anemia can affect fetal development and increase the risk of preterm birth and low body weight.
Faced with anemia. Recognizing the potential severity of anaemia, it is important to take appropriate preventive and management measures. This includes regular blood tests to monitor red blood cell levels and intake of related nutrients such as iron, vitamin B12, and folic acid. Individuals who have been diagnosed with anemia may need to manage their anaemia through dietary modifications, nutrient supplementation, or medications** in some cases, depending on the cause.
Signs of anemia: Finger symptoms should not be ignored.
When anemia creeps in, the fingers are one of the first places to send signals. The following finger symptoms are warning signs of anemia:
Pale nail beds: Normally, nail beds should have a healthy pink color. In anemia, the decrease in hemoglobin leads to a decrease in the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood, which is reflected in the pale color of the nail bed.
Cold fingertips: Anemia affects blood circulation, especially the fingertips because they are far away from the heart, the blood is insufficient, and they are easy to feel cold.
Weak nails: Anemia reduces the body's absorption of nutrients, resulting in easy cracking of nails, which is an outward manifestation of malnutrition in the body.
A multifaceted display of anemia: it's not just a matter of fingers.
The symptoms of anemia extend far beyond the fingers and can manifest itself in multiple systems of the body. Understanding these common symptoms can help us identify anemia from multiple perspectives:
Fatigue and weakness: This is the most common and most overlooked symptom of anemia. Due to the decrease in the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood, the cells in all parts of the body are deficient in energy**, resulting in persistent fatigue.
Rapid heartbeat or palpitations: To compensate for the lack of oxygen to the tissues**, the heart pumps faster, which can lead to an increased burden on the heart in the long run.
Shortness of breath: Even light physical activity can make it difficult for people with anemia to breathe because the blood's ability to carry oxygen is reduced.
*Pallor: In addition to the nail beds, anemia may also cause pallor in the lips and even under the eyes, reflecting a systemic decrease in hemoglobin.
Dizziness: Lack of oxygen to the brain** can lead to symptoms such as dizziness and memory loss.