Anaemia: A Bloody Problem

Wait! If you're ready to turn the page thinking that this is yet another article about periods, don't, This month, we're dealing with a 'bloody' subject of another sort - iron deficiency, otherwise known as anaemia.

- Wong Jie Ying

Giddiness, cold extremities, palpitations, brittle nails, pale skin, unexplained exhaustion – if you’ve been experiencing some of these symptoms for a while now, don’t be so quick to brush them off as consequences of stress or inadequate sleep; your body could be hinting that you have anaemia.

What’s that?

Like its name implies, 'anaemia' which is Greek for 'without blood' results from insufficient iron in the body. Without adequate iron, the body becomes incapable of producing enough healthy red blood cells (RBCs) which are vital for storing and carrying oxygen. Fewer RBCs means your organs aren’t receiving as much oxygen as they are supposed to. This is why people with anaemia often feel out of breath and tire easily.

Could I have anaemia?