Anemia is a medical condition that occurs due to a lack of healthy red blood cells that carry a sufficient amount of oxygen to your tissues. When you are anemic, you may feel weakness and fatigue. More often than not, it is possible to prevent this condition by educating yourself about different types and causes of anemia. This article will do the same   to help you stay on top of your diagnosis and subsequent treatment.

Types

1. Aplastic anemia
This type of anemia occurs in your body when it cannot produce an adequate amount of red blood cells. It is caused due to certain medications, overexposure to harmful chemicals, and autoimmune diseases.

2. Iron deficiency anemia
This is one of the most common types of anemia caused due to iron deficiency in your body. Without sufficient iron, your bone marrow cannot produce the right amount of hemoglobin for your red blood cells. This type of anemia usually occurs due to excessive blood loss during a woman’s menstrual cycle or due to overuse of OTC medication, such as aspirin.

3. Thalassemia
This type of anemia leads to a blood infection that makes your body produce less hemoglobin than usual. Hemoglobin is necessary for the red blood cells to transport oxygen. In the case of mild thalassemia, you don’t usually require treatment. However, severe ones need recurring blood transfusion.

Causes

1. Anemia caused due to loss of blood
Sometimes your body loses red blood cells due to excessive bleeding. This usually happens gradually and unnoticeably over some time. It is mainly caused due to gastrointestinal conditions such as cancer, gastritis, ulcers, and hemorrhoids. Other causes include over-use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen and aspirin, leading to ulcers and gastritis. Sometimes it may also occur in women who suffer from a heavy period, which can be a precursor to fibroids.

2. Anemia caused due to a decline in the production of red blood cells
In this type of anemia, your body cannot create a sufficient amount of red blood cells, or they may fail to work the way they are supposed to. This can be caused due to a lack of adequate vitamins and minerals required for the regular production of red blood cells.

3. Anemia caused due to red blood cell impairment
Sometimes, your red blood cells can become too fragile to handle the stress of transporting oxygen throughout your body. As a result, they may rupture, causing hemolytic anemia. It usually occurs at the time of birth but may also develop later in life.

Avoiding iron and vitamin deficiencies in your body is vital to treating anemia. You can do that by consuming a diet made up of nutrients such as beans, lentils, dark leafy vegetables, and dried fruits.