IDA is the most common type of anemia. IDA happens when you don't have enough iron in your body. You need iron to make hemoglobin. People with this type of anemia are sometimes said to have “iron-poor blood” or “tired blood.” A person can have a low iron level because of blood loss. In women, iron and red blood cells are lost when bleeding occurs from very heavy and long periods, as well as from childbirth.

Pregnancy places major demands on the body, because the mother must meet the needs of both her body and her growing baby. The body needs enough iron and folate to make the right amount of red blood cells. To prevent anemia during pregnancy, the expectant mother should stay in close contact with her doctor, and be sure to eat a diet that includes foods rich in iron and folate, like liver and dark green leafy vegetables.

Yes, some types of anemia are due to inherited or genetic defects. Sickle cell anemia occurs most frequently in people of African, African-American, and Mediterranean descent. Thalassemia (or Cooley's anemia) is found in people of Mediterranean and Southeast Asian descent. These types of anemia are extremely common. Another inherited anemia is Fanconi anemia, but this is very rare.

There are a number of different types of anemia and the symptoms will vary by type. In general, potential causes include a number of disease such as heart disease, chronic kidney disease, diabetes, and cancer; inflammatory disease like rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel syndrome; and a number of other conditions such as excessive blood loss, nutritional deficiencies, adverse reactions to certain medications, chemotherapy, and certain problems affecting bone marrow.

The error in the hemoglobin gene results from a genetic mutation that occurred many thousands of years ago in people in parts of Africa, the Mediterranean basin, the Middle East, and India. A deadly form of malaria was very common at that time, and malaria epidemics caused the death of great numbers of people. Studies show that in areas where malaria was a problem, children who inherited one sickle hemoglobin gene and who, therefore, carried the sickle cell trait - had a survival advantage.

ldquo;Anemia” (uh-NEE-me-uh) occurs when you have less than the normal number of red blood cells in your blood or when the red blood cells in your blood don't have enough hemoglobin (HEE-muh-glow-bin). Hemoglobin is a protein. It gives the red color to your blood. Its main job is to carry oxygen from your lungs to all parts of your body. If you have anemia, your blood does not carry enough oxygen to all the parts of your body.

Aplastic Anemia may be caused by injury to the bone marrow by radiation, chemicals, various medications, viruses, immune diseases, pregnancy, insecticides and pesticides. It is important to realize that bone marrow failure is a very rare response to a wide variety of possible causative factors to which we are all commonly exposed. In most cases of Aplastic Anemia, we do not find any link with environmental factors.

Iron deficiency anemia is caused by low levels of iron in the body. Low iron levels can occur because of: Bleeding caused by conditions such as ulcers, hemorrhoids, cancer, or regular aspirin use. People with these conditions may not be aware that they are losing blood. This type of bleeding is the main cause of iron deficiency anemia in men and in women past menopause. Lack of iron in the diet.

Anemia takes some time to develop. In the beginning, you may not have any signs or they may be mild. But as it gets worse, you may have these symptoms: All of these signs and symptoms can occur because your heart has to work harder to pump more oxygen-rich blood through the body.

to get red blood cell counts or hemoglobin levels back to normal so that your organs and tissues can get enough oxygen The treatment your doctor prescribes for you will depend on the cause of the anemia. For example, treatment for sickle cell anemia is different than treatment for a diet low in iron or folic acid.

Eat and drink foods that help your body absorb iron, like orange juice, strawberries, broccoli, or other fruits and vegetables with vitamin C. Calcium can hurt your absorption of iron. If you have a hard time getting enough iron, talk to your doctor about the best way to also get enough calcium. Eat a balanced diet. Most people who eat a balanced diet get the iron and vitamins their bodies need from the foods they eat. Food fads and dieting can lead to 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.

Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia usually develops when your body cannot absorb this vitamin from food. This can happen if:1, 2 You have pernicious anemia. In pernicious anemia, your body destroys the cells in your stomach needed to help your body absorb vitamin B12. You have had surgery to remove part of your stomach or the last section of your small intestine (ileum ).

Anemia, an abnormally low level of red blood cells, is a common complication of cancer and treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Both cancer and its treatment can interfere with the supply of red blood cells - by inhibiting the production of bone marrow, or as a result of chronic blood loss during surgery. Although it is seldom life-threatening, cancer-related anemia can cause overwhelming fatigue, and may have a severe impact on quality of life.