Everything about Anemia: Types, Causes, and Symptoms

by pradeep s. Healthians |Affordable Health Tests

The body requires red blood cells or RCBs to sustain as they carry oxygen to the tissues in the body. If the number of red blood cells decreases, it means there is a lack of oxygen in the body causing anemia. Various symptoms of anemia are caused by a lack of oxygen in the organs and tissues. Anemia is calculated as per the amount of hemoglobin, a protein found in the red blood cells, in the body. Anemia can occur with any gender and at any age.

People who experience cancer are more likely to develop anemia. Anaemia is a condition that can be managed effectively if diagnosed on time. So, if you think you are at risk, or you may go for Anaemia Test .

In this article, we will explore about types, causes, and symptoms of anemia.

Types of anemia

Anemia comes in many forms but the most common is the type of anemia is anemia iron deficiency.

Following are the types of anemia:

Aplastic anemia

Aplastic anemia occurs due to the damage of stem cells in the bone marrow resulting in low production of enough red cells in the human body. The body comprises stem cells in the bone marrow that produces red cells, white cells, and platelets. The damage may happen after exposure to toxic chemicals, radiation, and chemotherapy. Symptoms of aplastic anemia develop gently such as fatigue, fast heart rate, bleeding, and infections.

Iron Deficiency Anemia

Iron deficiency anemia occurs when your body has a low amount of iron to produce hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that gives the red color to the blood and carries oxygen throughout the body. If your body is not intaking enough iron, red blood cells can’t carry enough oxygen to body tissues.

Sickle Cell Anemia

There are iron-rich compound genes that produce red blood cells and allow them to carry oxygen from the lungs all over the body. Sickel cell anemia occurs when such iron-rich compound genes change and make the red blood cells rigid. It is an inherited disease that can pass from parents to their children.

Vitamin Deficiency Anemia

Vitamin deficiency anemia occurs when your body contains a lack of vitamin B12 needed for the production of red blood cells. A weakened stomach lining or an auto-immune condition is a cause of vitamin deficiency anemia. Taking a diet that contains only a few vitamins, resulting in vitamin deficiency anemia. It can also occur when your body does not consume all the nutrients from the food you eat.

Symptoms of anemia

Anemia indications and symptoms depend upon the cause of anemia. If the signs and symptoms transpire, they include:

· Fatigue

· weakness

· yellowish skin

· irregular heartbeats

· shortness of breadths

· dizziness or lightness

· chest pain

· cold hands and feet

· headaches

Causes of Anemia

Anemia occurs when the RCB production is low in the human body.

The various causes of anemia include:

· Low level of iron in the body

· diets having a low amount of vitamin B12

· diets having a low amount of folic acid in the human body

· inherited blood disorder

· low production of RCB in the human body

· extreme bleeding causes loss of red blood cells

· when the body destroys red blood cells

Follow a diet that has plenty of iron-rich foods such as vegetables, lentils, bread, cereals, and beans. Try to avoid drinking coffee and tea after lunch or dinner as they affect the absorption of iron in the human body. Also, be aware of common misconceptions and myths around anemia.