Important Iron Deficiency Anemia Signs and Symptoms

• Clinical Presentation
  • Iron-deficiency anemia can cause:
  • brittle nails
  • cracks in the sides of the mouth
• • Extreme fatigue (tiredness)
  • chest pain
• • Pale skin
  • Dizziness or lightheadedness
• • Fast heart rate
  • Headache
• • an enlarged spleen
  • Cold hands and feet
  • Frequent infections.
  • Irritability
  • Shortness of breath
  • Swelling or soreness of the tongue
• • An unusual craving for non-nutritive substances such as:
  • Ice
  • Dirt
  • Paint or starch.
  • This craving is called pica.
  • Some people who have iron-deficiency anemia develop restless legs syndrome (RLS). RLS is a disorder that causes a strong urge to move the legs.
• • Some signs and symptoms of iron-deficiency anemia are related to the condition's causes.
  • A sign of intestinal bleeding is bright red blood in the stools or black, tarry-looking stools.
  • Very heavy menstrual bleeding, long periods, or other vaginal bleeding may suggest that a woman is at risk for iron-deficiency anemia.
• • Severe iron-deficiency anemia can lead to:
  • Problems with growth and development
  • in children
  • Angina (chest pain)
  • Leg pains (intermittent claudication)