Anemia is reckoned as a lower number of red blood cells which is reported as low hemoglobin in tests. Hemoglobin is a key protein present in the red blood cells that transport oxygen and deliver it throughout the body. If you are diagnosed with anemia then it means you have a low level of hemoglobin. If you have low hemoglobin then your organs or tissues may not receive enough oxygen. The key symptoms of anemia include pale skin, shortness of breath, fatigue, headaches, chest pain, etc.
Anemia Types and Causes
There are different types of anemia which are divided into three main groups. The three main causes of anemia are:-
Blood loss
Iron deficiency anemia is caused due to blood loss. The low iron level in blood results in this problem. When our body loses blood it also releases water from tissue beyond the bloodstream that fills your blood vessels. When the additional water mixes in the blood it will reduce the RBC count. Blood loss results can be chronic which causes due to trauma, childbirth, and surgery. Blood loss is one of the reasons for causing anemia and result in cancer, stomach ulcer, etc. Other reasons of causing anemia due to blood loss include:-
- Use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen, aspirin, etc.
- Gastrointestinal conditions like cancer, gastritis, etc.
- Heavy menstrual bleeding
Reduced or impaired RBCs
Bone marrow is a soft tissue located at the center of bones and plays a vital role in developing RBCs. The bone borrow is responsible for producing stem cells that create into white blood cells, platelets, and RBCs. There are various diseases affected by the bone marrow that including leukemia. It is a type of cancer that triggers the production of over and abnormal white blood cells and adversely impacts the production of RBCs. Anemia problems occur with bone marrow issues. In many cases, anemia occurs when RBC cells do not grow and mature. Some types of anemia are caused due to decreased or impaired RBCs like:-
Sickle cell anemia
The key reason for causing RBC is that they are shaped like crescents. They get quickly broken down as compared to healthy RBC or lodged in small blood vessels. This blockage leads to reduce the flow of oxygen and results in pain.
Iron deficiency anemia
It includes low RBC production in the body due to a lack of iron in the body. Iron deficiency anemia results due to a low iron diet, frequent blood donation, mensuration, endurance training, medication, etc.
Vitamin-deficiency anemia
Vitamin B12 and folate both are important for RBCs production. If a person does not consume enough vitamins then it will impact the RBC count. Megaloblastic anemia and pernicious anemia are some types of vitamin deficiency anemia.
Destruction of RBCs
There is one type of anemia caused due to the destruction of RBCs which is autoimmune hemolytic anemia. It develops when your immune system detects RBCs as foreign substances and attacks them by mistake. Many factors can lead to RBC breakdown:-
- Infection
- Hypertension
- Types of drugs like antibiotics
- An autoimmune attack due to hemolytic diseases like spider venom
You should include nutritional diet food items that help in improving your hemoglobin level in your body.
