Anemia Cause And Effect Essay

Causes and Effects of Anemia

Introduction

Anemia is a state in which the blood lacks sufficient and healthy hemoglobin or red blood cells. Hemoglobin is a blood component that is rich in iron and protein and helps in the transportation of oxygen to the rest of the body. Deformed or insufficient red blood cells and hemoglobin lower the amount of oxygen transported in the body. Individuals with anemia experience fatigue, headaches, dizziness, and shortness of breath. There are several types of anemia namely mild, short-term, and long-lasting or severe anemia (Mayo Clinic Staff). Anemia can also be caused by other factors such as heredity factors, excessive blood loss through menstruation, ulcers, blood disorders such as sickle cell anemia, and

‘Acquired’ means that one is not born with the anemia condition, but it develops through poor diet, abnormal hormone levels, chronic diseases, and pregnancy (Mayo Clinic Staff). A diet that lacks sufficient iron, vitamin B12 or folic acid prevents the body from making enough red blood cells. The human body needs small amounts of riboflavin, vitamin C, and copper to produce red blood cells (National Institutes of Health (NIH). Red blood cells can reduce as a result of excessive bleeding that is undetected for a long time. For instance, gastrointestinal conditions such as ulcers, cancer, gastritis, and hemorrhoids may cause excessive bleeding that, in turn, causes anemia. Besides, menstruation and pregnancy are other acquired factors that may lead to anemia owing to excessive bleeding. In other cases, the metabolic conditions associated with the demands of pregnancy and breastfeeding cause the depletion of iron stores in the body and this leads to anemic conditions (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). Changes in hormones are another acquired factor that causes anemia. Low levels of the hormone that stimulate the production of blood cells in the bone marrow may also cause