Anemia is a relatively common disorder where one’s body does not produce enough red blood corpuscles (or cells) in the blood. As a result, the reduced number of cells does not have enough of the protein hemoglobin, which contains iron and transports oxygen around one’s bloodstream, thus the patient feels weak and looks pale – the most noticeable symptoms of anemia.

As hemoglobin is responsible for carrying life giving oxygen from our lungs to every cell of our bodies, a lack of this blood protein could cause your body to function at a much reduced rate and also cause much internal damage. Reduced numbers of red blood cells (and therefore of hemoglobin) in the blood are generally caused by a serious loss of blood, or when red cell production ceases or when damage has been caused to these cells by way of diseases, infections, malnutrition, or certain prescribed medications.

Statistics show that women are more likely to suffer from anemia than men and that they, together with anyone who suffers from a chronic disease, are most prone to become anemic. Anemia in and by itself is often not diagnosed by the medical profession, as it is a symptom of so many other maladies, ailments, illnesses and complaints – from minor to life threatening – that it is often overlooked.

Although there are many different forms of anemia, there are 4 types of the condition of which you should be aware. Two of them are not dangerous to your health, but should be attended to by your doctor; while the other two are very serious indeed and, should you suffer from either of them, you should be under the care of medical specialists to keep your body running as well as possible under the circumstances. The 4 main types of anemia are:

– Iron deficiency anemia;
– Folate deficiency anemia;
– Sickle Cell Disease; and
– Thalassemia.

Iron deficiency anemia is, as its name suggests, the condition whereby your body does not produce enough iron. This is the most common form of anemia.

Folate deficiency anemia is caused by a deficiency or lack in one’s diet of the vitamin Folate, which is found in leafy green vegetables, peas and most fruit. The cause of this deficiency could either be that one does not eat enough of these specific foods, or that your body is not able to absorb the vitamins which they contain.

Sickle Cell Disease or Sickle Cell Anemia is a genetic disease characterized by the shape of the red cells being abnormal; that they break down at a faster rate than normal red cells; and that the sufferer’s body is not able to produce more replacement red cells fast enough. This form of anemia is life threatening and sufferers should be under the constant care of medical professionals.

Thalassemia is the form of anemia whereby the sufferer’s body has problems with the production of hemoglobin. There are various types of Thalassemia which range from mild to serious. Sufferers should be under the constant supervision of their doctors.

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