The nail of the index finger is sunken

The condition of our nails tells a lot about our health. For example, if there is no half-moon on the nails, it means that the qi and blood are insufficient. If there are marks on the nails, it means that the body lacks some nutrients. So, what is the reason for the depression of the index finger nail? If the curve on the nail is replaced by a depression, this is most likely caused by anemia.

The cause of anemia, the degree of decrease in the blood's oxygen-carrying capacity, the degree of decrease in blood volume, the speed of anemia occurrence, and the compensation and tolerance capacity of the blood, circulatory, respiratory and other systems will all affect the clinical manifestations of anemia. The earliest symptoms are dizziness, fatigue, and drowsiness; the most common and prominent sign is pale complexion. The severity of symptoms depends on the speed of anemia, the degree of anemia and the body's compensatory ability.

1. Nervous system

Dizziness, tinnitus, headache, insomnia, nightmares, memory loss, and inattention are common symptoms caused by damage to nerve tissue due to anemia and hypoxia. Children with anemia may cry, become restless, and even have their intellectual development affected.

2. Skin and mucous membranes

Pallor is the main manifestation of anemia in the skin and mucous membranes. When anemia occurs, the body redistributes the effective blood volume through neurohumoral regulation, and the blood supply to relatively minor organs such as the skin and mucous membranes is reduced. In addition, due to the decrease in the content of red blood cells and hemoglobin per unit volume of blood, the skin and mucous membranes will also become lighter in color. Roughness, lack of luster and even ulcers are another manifestation of anemia on the skin and mucous membranes, which may also be related to the primary disease of the anemia. Hemolytic anemia, especially extravascular hemolytic anemia, can cause yellowing of the skin and mucous membranes.

3. Respiratory and circulatory system

In anemia, more 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG) is synthesized in red blood cells to reduce the affinity of hemoglobin for oxygen, shift the oxygen dissociation curve to the right, and allow tissues to obtain more oxygen. Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing is mostly caused by hypoxia or hypercapnia in the respiratory center. Therefore, mild anemia has no obvious symptoms, and only causes faster and deeper breathing, palpitations, and increased heart rate after activity. The more severe the anemia and the greater the amount of activity, the more obvious the symptoms will be. In severe anemia, you may feel shortness of breath or even orthopnea even when you are calm. Long-term anemia, overload of the heart and insufficient oxygen supply can lead to anemic heart disease, which is characterized by not only changes in heart rate but also arrhythmias and heart failure.