Warning Signs of Anemia

Anemia is one of the most common blood disorders in the United States, affecting more than three million Americans.

At Primary Care Walk-In Medical Clinic, our team offers on-site blood testing to identify anemia and evaluate your symptoms. You can visit the office by appointment or meet with the walk-in clinic staff to receive treatment for your anemia and lower your risk for additional health complications.

Understanding anemia

Anemia is a blood disorder that develops when your body doesn’t make enough healthy red blood cells. These cells are responsible for carrying oxygen to the tissues of your body and without enough oxygen, you may often feel weak and tired.

You may be at risk for anemia if you have nutritional deficiencies. Most often deficiencies of iron, B-12, and folate are responsible for anemia because these nutrients support your body’s production of red blood cells.

Other causes of anemia can include:

• Cancer
• Kidney disease
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Chronic inflammatory diseases

For some people anemia can be a short-term condition. Others may experience long-term symptoms that range from mild to severe. To prevent such complications, our medical team at Primary Care Walk-In Clinic recommend a comprehensive health evaluation if you have symptoms of anemia.

Warning signs of anemia you shouldn’t ignore

Anemia symptoms can vary from person to person depending on its cause and severity. It’s possible to have anemia without any issues but if you do have symptoms, they may include:

• Persistent fatigue
• Weakness
• Dizziness
• Shortness of breath
• Irregular heartbeat
• Yellowish or pale skin
• Cold hands and feet

You may also experience frequent headaches or chest pain because of anemia.

These symptoms can worsen over time, so you should schedule an appointment with our team without delay. We can perform a blood test to evaluate your red blood cell count and determine if you need treatment. We also offer other diagnostic testing services to identify underlying diseases that may be contributing to anemia.

Treatment options for anemia

Your treatment plan will depend on the underlying cause of anemia and the severity of your symptoms. Our Primary Care Walk-In Medical Clinic team may recommend:

Nutritional supplements

Nutritional supplements to correct iron and other vitamin deficiencies. 

Many people can treat anemia with oral supplements, but some may need intravenous (IV) infusions of nutrients to treat severe anemia.

Dietary improvements

We can also recommend changes that you can make to your diet that support good nutrition. 

You should incorporate more healthy, fresh foods that contain essential vitamins and minerals, especially iron-rich foods, such as dark green leafy vegetables, lentils, and fruits.

Chronic disease management

If you have underlying health issues like inflammatory diseases that trigger anemia, our team can discuss your treatment options for the condition.

We offer chronic disease management services on-site and can also refer you to a specialist if you need additional testing or treatment for chronic diseases, like cancer, arthritis, or kidney disease.

To schedule a diagnostic evaluation for symptoms of anemia, call the Primary Care Walk-In Clinic nearest to you today or book a consultation online. You can also get your blood tested at the walk-in clinic without an appointment.