Causes of Anemia

Anemia is a state caused by lack of red blood cells in the body. In such a condition, the blood fails to supply the body's tissues with sufficient amounts of oxygen.
Red blood cells contain chemical called hemoglobin – this pigment is also responsible for supplying oxygen from the lungs to other parts of the body. Lack of red blood cells in the body results in shortage of hemoglobin – which means not enough oxygen is carried to the various tissues and organs.
To regularly produce red blood cells and hemoglobin, you need a healthy bone marrow, and nutrients from food such as iron and certain vitamins.
Lack of iron is considered the most common cause of anemia. The following are some reasons that may cause a lack of iron.

Pregnancy and childbirth can lead to iron-deficiency because a mother is expected to take care of a growing baby’s iron requirements. Iron deficiency usually develops during pregnancy in women whose diet does not contain plenty of iron.

Heavy menstrual periods every month result in loss of blood in women. In cases, when this loss is not replenished by intake of iron-rich food, patients tend to feel weak.

Diet low in iron or lack of iron, vitamin B12 or folic acid in the diet can also cause anemia. Folic acid deficiency and vitamin B12 deficiency anemia may also be known as megaloblastic anemia. The main cause of vitamin B12 deficiency anemia (also referred as pernicious anemia) is when there is insufficient absorption of vitamin B12 from the food. Vitamin B12 is necessary for the synthesis of red blood cells, the maintenance of the nervous system, and growth and development in children. This deficiency causes overgrowth of bacteria in part of the small intestine, malabsorption disorders, inflammatory bowel disease and fish tapeworm infection. Lack of folic acid is due to a poor diet, even drinking excessive alcohol can reduce the uptake of folic acid. Folic acid can be found in fresh fruit, raw green vegetables, beans and whole grain cereals. Folic acid is necessary for growth and cellular repair, since it is a critical component of DNA and RNA as well as essential for the formation and maturation of red blood cells. Folic acid deficiency is one of the most common of all vitamin deficiencies. Although it occurs in both males and females, folic acid deficiency anemia most often affects women over age 30. Folic acid deficiency is also considered as a cause of neural tube defects in the developing fetus. Recent study has shown that adequate amounts of folic acid can prevent up to one-half of these birth defects, if folic acid supplements are included in a would-be mother’s diet.

Internal bleeding, not just in case of menstrual periods but resulting due to medical conditions like ulcer or tumour can lead to anemic state. Bleeding from the guts can also be yet another condition, when a patient slowly passes out blood with stools (faeces) without being aware if it. Internal bleeding can also happen due to trauma, surgery, cancer, bowel cancer or frequent blood donations.

Malabsorption takes place when the body is not able to use the nutrients in the diet. This leads to conditions such as coeliac disease.

Blood diseases such as leukaemia and Infections, such as malaria and septicaemia, are caused by the destruction of red blood cells. (haemolysis) in the body

Drugs and medications including alcohol, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs or anti-coagulant medications cause anemia.

Anemia is more serious than most people think it is. Some simple measures like incorporating enough vitamins like vitamin B12, vitamin C and folic acid supplements and iron rich foods in diet, avoiding smoking, having good sleep at night and regulating those cups of coffee, can help in preventing this disease.