Anemia is generally caused by blood loss, lack of red blood cell production or high rates of blood cell destruction. Some anemias are caused by more than one of these causes.
Before we talk about anemia causes, let us explain how the circulatory system functions. Red blood cells are oxygen carriers which transport oxygen from the lungs to different parts of the body. A protein called hemoglobin enables these cells to do that and carry carbon dioxide from various parts of the body to the lungs so that they could be exhaled. Red blood cells, as well as other blood cells, are produced in the bone marrow.
The most common anemia cause is blood loss, especially the type called iron-deficiency anemia. It may be caused by very heavy menstrual periods or internal bleeding in the urinary or digestive tract. Other anemia causes may be surgery, trauma or cancer and cancer treatments.
Not having enough blood cells is also one of the anemia causes. This phenomenon may be either acquired or inherited.
One of the acquired anemia causes is a diet that lacks iron, folic acid or vitamin B12. Vitamin C, riboflavin and copper of small amounts are also needed to produce red blood cells. When the body is not in a condition to absorb nutrients enough to make red blood cells, anemia would occur.
Another anemia cause is hormonal. Erythroprotein is needed in order to make red blood cells. Without this, enough red blood cells would not be produced.
Chronic diseases or ongoing diseases, such as kidney disease and cancer, may make it difficult for the body to produce red blood cells. Cancer treatments, especially, may damage the bone marrow and may lessen the ability of red blood cells to carry oxygen. This anemia cause hinders the bone marrow from making red blood cells fast enough to replace those that died or were destroyed.
Pregnant women also commonly experience anemia. When pregnant, the body’s iron and folic acid lessens and changes in the blood occur. For the first 6 months, the blood’s plasma or fluid component increases faster than the red blood cells therefore diluting the blood. This is another anemia cause which is known as hemolytic anemia.
Another anemia cause would be the destruction of too many blood cells. Naturally, red blood cells are destroyed when damaged or when abnormal. Some diseases, however, destroys more red blood cells than usual.
Aplastic anemia causes decrease in the ability of the bone marrow to produce red blood cells. Some of the aplastic anemia causes are infections, drugs and autoimmune diseases.