The Different Causes of Anemia
When a person suffers from anemia, there is a significant decrease in the number of red blood cells in the body. In this condition, an individual constantly feels tired, exhausted, and fatigued. In addition, there are various types of anemia, where each one of them has its own cause. For a better understanding, listed below are the different causes of anemia that you need to know.
Iron-deficiency anemia
If iron is present in an inadequate amount in the body, then the chances of anemia are high. This condition is defined as iron-deficiency anemia, which also occurs when there are stomach ulcers and other reasons behind slow yet chronic bleeding.
Anemia due to chronic illness
The long list of causes of anemia also suggests chronic illness. The exact reason behind it is unknown, but a person with an on-going medical condition can definitely experience anemia. The body constantly loses its entire energy while fighting the chronic medical condition.
Anemia related to pregnancy
Women who are pregnant have a higher rate of developing anemia. As during pregnancy, your body needs to produce more amount of blood to support the growth of the fetus. This increased demand of iron by the baby leads to a decrease in the red blood cells, as the body requires more nutrition to support the mother as well as the baby.
Vitamin-deficiency anemia
Among various causes of anemia, this is widely reported. As along with iron, the body requires folate and vitamin B 12 to produce the healthy red blood cells. If your diet lacks any of these essential nutrients, then it may cause a significant decrease in the production of red blood cells. Also, some people are unable to absorb vitamin B 12, and this results in pernicious anemia.
Anemia associated with bone marrow
A number of diseases, such as leukemia and myelofibrosis, can lead to anemia by affecting the production of blood in the bone marrow. The side effects of such diseases can vary from mild to severe and life-threatening.
Sickle cell anemia
This is a defective disorder and also one of the causes of anemia. In this disease, the body produces C-shaped blood cells that die prematurely and cause chronic shortage of red blood cells.
Hemolytic anemia
It happens when the red blood cells are destroyed at a faster rate. This kind of anemia can be inherited or can be developed later in life. Moreover, there are numerous diseases that may increase the destruction of red blood cells.
Anemia related to a kidney disease
The kidneys release a hormone that helps in the production of red blood cells. Due to a chronic kidney disease, this hormone gets diminished. This further reduces the production of red blood cells.
With proper and timely diagnosis, one can easily find the right cause of anemia in the body. In case a person experiences an unusual type of fatigue or dizziness, chances are that they may have anemia. They should immediately consult a doctor if this is the case.