What are the Causes of Anemia?

The Causes of Anemia

Anemia is a condition characterized by the deficiency of the body 's red blood cells , which are the main transporters of oxygen to the organs Since there are basically 400 types of anemia , it has been classified into three categories : anemia caused by blood loss , anemia caused by decrease or faulty red blood cell production , and anemia caused by destruction of red blood cells (WebMD , 2007

Anemia caused by blood loss can be the result of undetected and slow bleeding , called chronic bleeding . Gastrointestinal complications such as

ulcers , hemorrhoids , which is the swelling or inflammation of the veins around the anus and the rectum gastritis , which is the inflammation of the stomach and cancer , can cause this type of blood loss . Moreover , chronic bleeding can occur through the intake of non-steroidal inflammatory drugs such as aspirin . However , this type of anemia is sometimes considered normal in women who have menstruation and who have recently given birth , especially if the blood loss is excessive (eMedicineHealth , 2007

On the other hand , anemia can also be inherited . Anemia caused by decrease or faulty red blood cell production is often in the form of sickle cell anemia , which usually affects African-Americans . In this condition the red-blood cells , which are normally ovoid or disc shaped become crescent-shaped , thus giving it the name sickle ' These sickle cells rapidly break down in the body , which prevents the oxygen from being transported to the organs , causing anemia (WebMD , 2007

Lastly anemia is also caused by the premature destruction of red blood cells . In this condition , the red blood cells are fragile and may rupture easily , causing hemolytic anemia . Factors that could contribute to the premature destruction of the red blood cells include tumors chemical exposure , extreme hypertension , severe burns , and prosthetic heart valves , as well as drugs , infections , and certain foods , among others (WebMD , 2007

eMedicineHealth (2007 . Anemia . Retrieved October 22 , 2007 from http /www .emedicinehealth .com /anemia /article_em .htm

WebMD (2007 . Understanding Anemia- The Basics . Retrieved October 22 2007 from http /www .webmd .com /a-to-z-guides /understanding-anemia-basics

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The Causes of Anemia...