Sometimes, it starts subtly: a drop in energy here, a bout of lightheadedness there. The symptoms of low oxygen start quietly until the day when the deeper cause makes itself known — and yes, dizziness is often one of them.
That cause is often anemia, a condition in which your body can’t move enough oxygen to meet its needs. And if you have it, the CDC says that you’re now one of 3 million people in the United States already living with it.
Fortunately, anemia doesn’t have to upend your life. It’s treatable, and at Thibodaux Regional Urgent Care, we can help you take the first step toward feeling like yourself again.
What is anemia?
Anemia is not a singular illness. It is an umbrella term for many types of blood conditions, all of which interfere with your body’s oxygen flow in one way or another.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, the causes of anemia are diverse. You could be looking at:
- Iron-deficiency anemia, caused by low iron levels in the body.
- Diamond-Blackfan anemia, where the bone marrow doesn’t make enough red blood cells.
- Sickle cell anemia, where abnormally shaped blood cells cause frequent blood flow disruptions.
- Pernicious anemia, caused by vitamin B12 deficiency.
But the most common — according to the American Journal of Public Health — is iron-deficiency anemia, and its most common cause is an inadequate diet. A woman in Thibodaux who has heavy periods and doesn’t eat enough iron-rich foods, for instance, may well be at higher risk of developing anemia than the average population.
Why does anemia make you feel dizzy?
The simple answer is lack of oxygen. Just like lightheadedness when standing too fast, your brain notices the low oxygen level and cannot operate efficiently. You become “woozy.” You might have a fainting spell then and there.
So you don’t feel right, and, as the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute reports, dizziness is one of the most commonly reported symptoms of having too little oxygen. But there are others:
- Muscle weakness, often paired with pale skin
- Excessive fatigue
- Heart palpitations as your heart beats faster to compensate for having less oxygen
- Experiencing a rush of dizziness, particularly when you move from sitting to standing
And yet, none of these symptoms by themselves is enough to diagnose you with anemia. Evaluation by a medical provider at Thibodaux Regional Urgent Care can help you know for certain.
When to go to urgent care
If 911 is your go-to for a life-threatening situation, think of urgent care as the go-to for more moderate symptoms. Urgent care delivers prompt attention without the emergency room’s notoriously long wait times.
Our clinic here in Thibodaux can assess a range of symptoms linked with anemia or low oxygen levels, including:
- Fainting spells
- Dizziness that won’t go away
- Difficulty walking
- A racing heartbeat
Stabilizing you is our priority. For example, we’re equipped to conduct a complete round of oxygen testing on-site to see what your blood levels are actually like.
Call 911 if you’re experiencing chest pain or difficulty breathing. The Cleveland Clinic warns that these can be signs of a heart attack, which anemia can worsen.
Find stability at Thibodaux Regional Urgent Care
When the room is spinning, the path forward can still be clear. Catching anemia early can prevent more serious complications later, and even if your dizziness turns out to have another cause, it’s still your body’s way of asking for attention.
At Thibodaux Regional Urgent Care, we’re open daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., with no appointment required. You can simply walk in, or reserve your spot in line before arriving. Let us know when you arrive, and we’ll do the rest.
