Blood Disorder Warning Signs

Blood disorders can be extremely serious and can lead to or indicate conditions like blood cancer and leukemia. Blood disorders are a problem not to be taken lightly, and if you or a loved one frequently experience these symptoms you should visit your doctor right away.

Keep in mind, though, that we humans tend to fear the worst, so do not freak yourself out. Read the following carefully, and if the symptoms and signs sound familiar, then schedule an appointment with your general practitioner.

What are blood disorders?

Blood disorders are a broad category of issues that relate to either the increase of blood components (like too many white and red blood cells or increased platelet counts) or a decrease of blood components (red cells, white cells and platelets) that can have major effects on the entire body.

Common or more well-known blood disorders include anemia, leukemia, sickle cell disease, hemophilia, infection and iron deficiency.

Ruddy complexion and headaches

If the skin has taken on an abnormally reddish hue, along with headaches, this could be a sign that the body is producing too many red blood cells.

Frequent weariness or shortness of breath

Experiencing unexplained fatigue and difficulty breathing could be a sign that the body is producing too few red blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen to the muscles, so a deficiency would mean decreased energy and a feeling of weakness. This could be a potential sign of anemia.

Swollen lymph nodes

The most common areas for the lymph nodes to be swollen are in the groin, on either side of the neck or in the arm pits. If you are noticing a swollen, tender feeling in those areas, this could mean a number of things, so do not be alarmed.

However, swollen lymph nodes can point to a problem with the white blood cells, which could point to either lymphoma or leukemia.

Eating ice or other hard substances

This is an odd symptom, but frequently eating ice can actually be a sign of iron deficiency. This also applies to the urge to eat things like sand, dirt or other hard, crunchy substances, a symptom called pica. It usually takes over a month of eating non-food items to be diagnosed with pica.

Taking a long time to stop bleeding

Blood should clot fairly quickly, especially when dealing with small cuts in non-crucial areas. However, if you have noticed that it seems to be taking a long time to stop bleeding, more than you are used to, this could be a sign of platelet deficiency and hemophilia.

What to do if you suspect a blood disorder?

If you are worried that some of these symptoms sound familiar, do not be afraid to contact your physician and schedule an appointment. They can listen to your concerns and symptoms and call for the proper blood test to discover if your fears are warranted.

For more information or to schedule an appointment with Lindenberg Cancer & Hematology Center, request an appointment in our Marlton office here: https://lindenbergcancer.com. Or call us at (856) 475-0876.