Anemia, a condition very common in girls. Anemia is a condition that develops when your blood lacks enough healthy red blood cells or hemoglobin. In a layman’s language we usually call it ”iron deficiency”. It has become such a common condition in women that everyone now a days takes it very lightly
At first, anemia can be so mild that you do not notice it. Symptoms usually appear and get worse as anemia gets worse. Symptoms can include:
- Fatigue (extreme tiredness; can be mild to severe)
- Difficulty breathing; being short of breath
- Rapid heart rate (fast heart beat, even if you are sitting still)
- Pale (lighter than normal colored) skin
- Lips, gums, lining of the eyelids, nail beds, and palms are less pink than usual
- Feeling cold
- Confusion or loss of concentration
- Dizziness or fainting
The most common type of anemia worldwide is iron deficiency anemia, which is caused by a shortage of iron. Women are especially likely to develop this type of anemia for several reasons. First, women aged 12 to 49 lose blood approximately once a month during their periods. Iron is needed to make the new blood that replaces the blood lost with each menstrual period. The risk of anemia is higher among women with periods that are especially long or include very heavy bleeding.
It is very important that women with anemia start to take it seriously. It is not easy living with deficiency of iron and low HGB levels. It makes you chronically fatigued and your everyday productivity drop by 25%. I have been living with anemia for a year now. Being tired 24/7 and falling sick every month has become a routine. My parents think I am lazy and all I do is sleep and eat. It is difficult explaining to them what it feels like. Now I have decided to take my health and well being into my own hands. Daily vitamin supplements have helped me a bit. I am taking baby steps and I know I will get there someday. Until then, it is me and my willpower against iron deficiency and an unaware society.
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