ANEMIA - What causes anemia?

Anemia occurs when there aren’t enough 

red blood cells or not enough of the 

oxygen-carrying protein haemoglobin in the blood

Anemia is often a symptom of an underlying medical problem. In a person with anaemia, the heart has to work harder to pump the quantity of blood needed to get enough oxygen to the body.

There are various types of anaemia but the most common type is iron deficiency anemia - when there’s not enough iron in the body. Iron from your diet is needed to produce haemoglobin. A spare store of iron is kept in your liver. Your body will draw on these reserves when iron is low but they can become depleted. If you have anaemia your bone marrow produces smaller red blood cells that don’t carry enough oxygen to your organs and tissues.

Anemia can be caused by the following factors:

• Blood loss through injury – leads to iron-deficiency anaemia
• Lack of iron, B12 or folic acid in the diet or problems absorbing iron, for example, coeliac disease
• Pregnancy
• Heavy periods
• Growth spurts in children and adolescents
• Inherited disorders, autoimmune disorders or chronic diseases, hormone and bone marrow disorders
• Drugs and medications
• Infections

Source: http://www.bodyandsoul.com.au/