There are so many different illnesses and conditions out there that have the potential to make you feel sick or even just a little “off.” While certain illnesses like a stomach bug or even the common cold may have obvious symptoms, others may be more difficult to pinpoint.
That’s where our diagnostic skills come in handy! In addition to our reliable physical exams and our highly knowledgeable staff, we have a variety of diagnostic tools in our center to help us dig deeper for you.
One of those tools is our state-of-the-art lab. Read on as our AFC Urgent Care Chattanooga team explains more about our lab and how we can use it to diagnose you faster and more accurately.
What Tests Can be Run Through the Lab?
Some urgent care centers have the ability to run tests but then have to send the samples off to another location for processing, but not us! We can run our tests right in our center, which allows us to diagnose you faster and provide you with treatment options right away. Our rapid tests can detect illnesses like the flu, COVID-19, strep throat and RSV in just a few minutes. We can also process tests like a urinalysis or a culture if we are testing for infection.
We also have the ability to draw your blood and perform various tests. Your blood can tell a lot about you! One test that we run often is called a complete blood count, or CBC. A CBC is able to process and measure the different blood cells in your blood, which gives us a reliable baseline in regards to your health. Any surprising levels or counts that are too high or too low can help point us in the right direction for a diagnosis.
Possible Blood Test Results
- Anemia
- An infection
- Immune system disorders
- Blood diseases
What Does Anemia Feel Like?
Your entire body is made up of complex systems that rely on each other to work in harmony to help you feel your best. If for some reason your body isn’t producing the proper level of red blood cells in your body, it can cause you to develop anemia. Anemia symptoms include fatigue, rapid heartbeat, dizziness and lightheadedness.
Mild to moderate anemia can be managed with diet changes and by incorporating more iron-rich foods into your meal plans. Treating anemia is crucial because it can lead to more serious issues later in life like heart and lung complications. If you aren’t feeling your best for any reason, come see us and we will work together to figure out the cause.
Ways to Add More Iron to Your Diet
- Eat iron-rich foods like lean meat, fish, eggs and dried beans.
- Consume more folic acid from dark, leafy green vegetables.
- Increase your vitamin D intake.
- Take an iron supplement as prescribed.
Have you been feeling faint or lightheaded? Come see us for a quick CBC test at AFC Urgent Care Chattanooga.
