Information on Anemia

Anemia has a complicated technical definition, but in simple terms it means that a person's blood contains a lower than normal amount of red blood cells or other elements that help transport oxygen throughout the body. Often caused by a lack of iron, anemia gradually starves the body of the oxygen it needs, leading to symptoms such as extreme skin pallor, shortness of breath, heart palpitations and fatigue.

Pernicious anemia is one of many different types of anemia. Having anemia means you do not have enough healthy red blood cells. When a person has anemia, the blood cannot carry enough oxygen to the cells of the body. The most common symptom of anemia is feeling tired.

Pernicious anemia is a blood disorder in which the body does not make enough red blood cells due to a lack of vitamin B12 in the blood. Pernicious anemia can develop from a lack of a protein that helps the body absorb vitamin B12, not getting enough B12 in the diet, and certain intestinal conditions that interfere with the absorption of vitamin B12 such as Crohn's disease, celiac sprue, or ulcerative colitis.

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. Anemias can also be caused by such conditions as external bleeding, chronic disease, pregnancy, alcoholism, bleeding disorders, infection and hereditary conditions.

Anemia is a condition that develops when your blood lacks enough healthy red blood cells. These cells are the main transporters of oxygen to organs. If red blood cells are also deficient in hemoglobin, then your body isn't getting enough iron. Symptoms of anemia -- like fatigue -- occur because organs aren't getting enough oxygen.

Iron Deficiency Anemia (also called IDA) is a condition where a person has inadequate amounts of iron to meet body demands. It is a decrease in the amount of red cells in the blood caused by having too little iron. Iron deficiency anemia is usually caused by a diet insufficient in iron or from blood loss. Blood loss can be acute as in hemorrhage or trauma or long term as in heavy menstruation.

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.

It most common cause of pernicious anemia is inheriting it from your parents. Other causes include: surgery to the stomach, surgery to the small intestine, abnormal bacterial growth in the small intestine, Crohn's Disease, and celiac disease.

Anemia seems to be the most common blood disorder in United States as it affects 3.4 million Americans. Fries are certainly tasty but do not shun nutritious food, as lack of nutrition is the main cause for anemia. You may be surprised to know that older people are more susceptible to anemia. Chronic inflammation and nutritional deficiencies are considered to be the main cause for it.