5 Warning Signs of Anemia
The most common blood issue in the U.S. is anemia. It affects millions of Americans and can be caused by iron deficiency, cancer, severe blood loss, chronic disease, and more. While the symptoms may vary between individuals and for what type of anemia you may have, there are some common symptoms usually associated with anemia. As your Orange County urgent care center, we want you to be aware of these symptoms and take action if necessary.
- Prone to Fatigue or General Weakness
Anemia often is called “tired blood” because having reduced red blood cells means reduced oxygen to your body. This can lead to being easily worn out and having a washed out or “blah” feeling. Activity becomes difficult.
- Shortness of Breath
This, again, is because your body isn’t getting the oxygen it needs. Shortness of breath is a symptom for a number of conditions and should not be overlooked. When this condition persists, you need to contact your Costa Mesa medical clinic.
- Feeling Dizzy or Having Frequent Headaches
Repeated dizziness or headaches is another symptom that can have many causes, anemia being one such factor. If this happens every time you stand up, you should visit your Costa Mesa urgent care center immediately. If it is sporadic, it may not be urgent, but you will still want to visit your Orange County medical center to discover the cause.
- Pale Skin or Jaundice
Not having enough red blood cells can cause pallor. This paleness can be sudden, or develop gradually when the anemic condition is chronic. Yellowing of the skin and the white of the eye can be a sign of hemolytic anemia caused by the breakdown of red blood cells.
- Craving for Unusual Items to Eat
One of the most common causes of anemia is iron deficiency. A possible sign is feeling a need to eat items that aren’t food, particularly ice or dirt, especially if the craving is a new development.
How Is It Diagnosed?
Anemia is usually confirmed with a CBC, or complete blood test. A CBC measures a number of factors, such as white blood cell count, red blood cell count, the number of platelets, and the level of hemoglobin in the blood. In anemia, the red blood cell count and hemoglobin counts are low. A CBC is often part of a routine exam, since it can indicate a person’s general well-being. If anemia is present, additional tests may be performed to discover the underlying cause, whether it be iron deficiency, internal bleeding, chronic disease, or other issues.
Come In to Your Urgent Care Center
If you have these symptoms, you will want to have it confirmed with a CBC, or other tests. At Xpress Urgent Care, we can do the blood work and have it sent to a lab for testing. Being your Costa Mesa walk-in clinic means no appointment is necessary, and we will have you on your way in a very short time.
If you would like more information about anemia, or would like to set up an appointment, stop by our Costa Mesa office, or call 949-548-8400 today.