Anemia is a condition where there is a lower than normal number of red blood cells in the blood, usually measured by a decrease in the amount of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is the oxygen-carrying part of red blood cells. It gives these blood cells their red color.

Anemia occurs when the amount of hemoglobin (found in the red blood cells) drops below normal. Hemoglobin is necessary for the transport and delivery of oxygen throughout the body. There are many different types of anemia, but we will limit this page to the most common ones.

Although there are over 400 different forms of anemia, this health profile will only address the three most common: iron-deficiency anemia, vitamin B12 anemia and folic acid deficiency.

Causes Of Anemia

The cause varies with the type of anemia. Potential causes include blood loss, poor diet, many diseases, medication reactions, and various problems with the bone marrow, where blood cells are made. Iron deficiency anemia is most common in women who have heavy menstrual periods.

Anemia is a state in which the number of red blood cells or the hemoglobin in them is below normal. When you're anemic, your body produces too few healthy red blood cells, loses too many of them or destroys them faster than they can be replaced. As a result, your blood is low on red blood cells to carry oxygen to your tissues - leaving you fatigued.

Red blood cells can be lost through bleeding, which can occur slowly over a long period of time, and can often go undetected.

Less common causes of anemia include a diet low in vitamin B12, intestinal problems, and certain medicines.

Symptoms Of Anemia

The symptoms of anemia can include headache, fatigue, weakness, difficulty in thinking. With severe anemia, other symptoms, such as shortness of breath and rapid heartbeat, may be experienced.

The symptoms of vitamin B12 anemia are similar to those of iron deficiency anemia but can also cause: Jaundice, Numbness and tingling in the hands and feet & Equilibrium difficulties.

There are many symptoms of anemia. Each individual will not experience all the symptoms and if the anemia is mild, the symptoms may not be noticeable.

Treatment Of Anemia

The successful treatment of anemias depends on identifying and treating the underlying cause: blood loss, a nutritional deficiency, cancer, bone marrow infiltration, chronic illness, inflammation, or decreased response to erythropoietin. Through laboratory test results and a physical examination, a physician can determine the cause of your anemia and identify the best approach to treating it.

Chronic anemia may result in behavioral disturbances in children as a direct result of impaired neurological development in infants, and reduced scholastic performance in children of school age.

The treatment for one type of anemia may be both inappropriate and dangerous for another type of anemia.The type of treatment you receive depends on the cause of decreased red blood cell production.

Treatment should be directed at the cause of the anemia. In some cases, blood transfusions and the medication erythropoietin will correct anemia.

Pregnant women need to consume twice as much iron as women who are not pregnant. But about half of all pregnant women do not get enough iron. During pregnancy, your body needs more iron because of the growing fetus, the higher volume of blood, and blood loss during delivery.