The medical condition in which the body doesn’t have an adequate amount of red blood cells is known as anemia. Due to this condition, the body doesn’t get the right amount of oxygen it needs, which may cause the person to feel weak and lethargic. Several factors or reasons may lead to such a deficiency in people, such as lack of iron, faulty production of red blood cells, or destruction of blood cells.

Here are some common symptoms observed in people suffering from anemia.

1. Fatigue and headache
A person with anemia may experience a tremendous lack of energy and fatigue due to the substantial absence of oxygen in their blood. This may also result in frequent lightheadedness and dizziness. This also leads to an apparent lack of concentration in such individuals.

2. Paler skin
People with extreme anemia cases may also exhibit skin discoloration, where their skin might look paler or even yellowish. This occurs due to jaundice when the destruction of red blood cells contributes to a lack of oxygen in the body.

3. Unusual heartbeat
A person suffering from anemia may also experience frequent instances of tremendous fluctuations in heart rate. They may also experience high heart rates, which is also known as palpitation. This is sometimes accompanied by shortness of breath when experienced by someone whose anemia is more severe.

4. Unusual cravings
Such patients usually feel unusual cravings due to the deficiency of oxygen in their bodies. On some occasions, they may feel an urge to snack on ice, clay, or dirt. This symptom is observed due to iron deficiency in the body and can also be known as pica.

5. Shortness of breath
This is commonly observed in people with anemia since the oxygen inhaled in regular respiration does not reach the body’s cells normally. This causes the body to feel the need to inhale more frequently to keep the body’s oxygen supply constant. This is often observed in people whose condition has escalated to a more severe stage. This may also sometimes be accompanied by severe chest pains.

6. Brittle nails
This is often observed in more severe anemia cases, where the nails of your fingers and toes break off easily without needing too much impact.

7. Fainting
Fainting is when a person loses consciousness for a short period due to a variety of different reasons. One of the most common reasons for fainting in people is the lack of oxygen. If this is a frequent occurrence, you should consult a trained medical professional to diagnose your condition accurately.