How do i know if i am anemic?
The only true way to know if you are anemic is to have a medical history, a medical examination and a blood sample taken. The lab technician will measure the amount of hemoglobin in the red blood cells along with other factors. A normal hemoglobin count will be 120-130, but it may drop as low as 80-100 without serious harm. Signs of anemia: • Difficulty concentrating and remembering • Feeling tired and having less energy most of the time • Feeling dizzy, lightheaded or possibly having a headache • Being short of breath, or breathless after very little activity • Pale skin colour, pale lips and fingernail beds • Pain in the chest, fluttery feeling from your heart • Ringing or pounding in the ears • Very sensitive to cold temperature, feeling cold when others do not • Sore mouth or tongue • Poor appetite • Less interest in social pleasure • Feeling down, or irritable What should I do if I notice symptoms? Contact your doctor or nurse as soon as possible if you are experiencing symptoms o
The only way for a person to know if he/she is anemic is to have a blood test to check the red blood cell and hemoglobin levels. How is anemia treated? Treatment for anemia depends on the cause. If a person has too little iron, vitamin B12, or folic acid to make red blood cells work effectively, a change of diet and use of specific vitamins and/or iron pills may be recommended. In some cases, injections of a medication that will increase production of red blood cells may be used. Why is anemia a risk in surgery? If you lose too much blood during surgery, your organs and tissues may not get enough of the oxygen they need to do their work. As a result, you may not respond well to surgery and your recovery might be delayed.
The most common symptom of anemia is fatigue (feeling tired or weak). If you have anemia, it may seem hard to find the energy to do normal activities. Other signs and symptoms of anemia include: • Shortness of breath • Dizziness • Headache • Coldness in the hands and feet • Pale skin • Chest pain Mild to moderate anemia may cause very mild symptoms or none at all. The anemic person may: • Listen to your heart for a rapid or irregular heartbeat • Listen to your lungs for rapid or uneven breathing • Feel your abdomen to check the size of your liver and spleen Your doctor also may do a pelvic or rectal exam to check for common sources of blood loss. Treatment for anemia depends on the type, cause, and severity of the condition. Treatments may include dietary changes or supplements, medicines, or procedures. Low levels of vitamins or iron in the body can cause some types of anemia. These low levels may be due to poor diet or certain diseases or conditions. To raise your vitamin or iron lev
Some symptoms are fatigue like, you’ll be tired a lot, weak, irritable sometimes, and difficulty sleeping. Your completion can also change to a lighter shade and you can experience headaches and dizziness. The only way to know for sure is a blood test, so if you have all the symptoms, you probably should take one.
