What Causes Anemia?

Posted by editor2 on Wednesday 25 Mar 2009

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A decreased formation of red blood cells in the bone marrow, either due to defects in the bone marrow, or due to an inadequate intake of iron, proteins and vitamins is one of the main causes of anemia. Anemia can also occur due to a deficiency of hydrochloric acid in the stomach, which is necessary for digestion of iron and proteins, or intestinal parasites or worms. Hookworms, pinworms, round worms and tape worms feed on the supply of blood and vitamins cause anemia.

How diseases cause:

Certain chronic diseases, like cancer and rheumatoid arthritis cause anemia. Reduced production of the bone marrow causes aplastic anemia. Kidney disease and cancer can also make it hard for the body to make enough red blood cells. HIV/AIDS patients may develop anemia due to infections or medicines used to treat their diseases. Some cancer treatments may even damage the bone marrow or damage the red blood cells’ ability to carry oxygen. The damaged bone marrow cannot make red blood cells fast enough to replace the ones that died or were destroyed.

How it affects women:

Excessive menstruation in women, heavy loss of blood due to injury or bleeding piles is some other causes of anemia. Anemia can happen during pregnancy due to low levels of folic acid and iron and changes in the blood. During the initial 6 months of pregnancy, the fluid portion of a woman’s blood increases faster than the number of red blood cells. This dilutes the blood and can cause anemia.

How vitamin-deficiency cause:

Intestinal disturbance causes the mal absorption of certain vitamins and is referred to as vitamin-deficiency anemia. Vitamin c or ascorbic acid is an immune system booster, increasing white blood cell production. It is also useful for increase in the absorption of iron. Lack of ability to absorb vitamin B 12 causes pernicious anemia. Production of large blood cells and abnormal is megaloblastic anemia. Your body needs erythropoietin, to stimulate the bone marrow to make these cells. Deficiency of this hormone can lead to anemia.