Anemia is a blood disorder wherein the blood is unable to supply adequate amounts of oxygen to the body. People, who suffer from anemia, often feel exhausted, cold, weak and also experience shortness of breath. Such people have low count of hemoglobin in their blood. Hemoglobin is the one responsible for carrying oxygen and also imparting red color to the blood. When hemoglobin count is low, the blood carries less oxygen. In the US, around 3.5 million people suffer from anemia blood disorder.

There are several types of anemia and hence, the cause for each type differs. Usually, poor diet lacking iron is the main cause for anemia. However, anemia can be caused due to chemotherapy, taking certain types of medications and also certain ailments. In addition, anemia can also be inherited. Inherited anemia is often quite severe in nature.

While males and females can suffer from anemia, it has been observed that women, who are of childbearing age, tend to be more susceptible to it. This is primarily because women lose iron when they menstruate. As per the National Center for Health Statistics, in the US around 9 percent of women suffer from iron-deficiency anemia. According to the statistics available from WHO, nearly 2 billion people in the world suffer from anemia, which is more common in developing countries due to poor diet, iron deficiency and infections.

Some people may be wondering what causes anemia. In order to understand the cause, you have to understand blood, its function and its composition. Blood is composed of fifty-five percent plasma and forty-five percent blood cells. Out of the forty-five percent blood cells, nearly ninety-nine percent are red blood cells. These cells have a concave shape, so that they have a bigger surface area, which can enhance their capacity to carry oxygen from the lungs to all the cells of the body and thereafter carbon dioxide from the cells to the lungs. The average lifespan of red blood cells is around 120 days, and the body produces millions of these cells every single day.

The actual production of the red blood cells occurs in the bone marrow with the help of a hormone known as erythropoietin. This hormone is produced in the kidneys. The hormones job is to stimulate the stem cells in the bone marrow, so that they form red blood cells. If there is a problem with the kidneys, it can affect the production of erythropoietin and this, in turn, can affect the production of red blood cells, leading to anemia.

Fortunately, anemia can be prevented by taking certain precautions. Consuming a healthy and nutritious diet, rich iron is one of the best ways to avert iron-deficiency anemia. If you are suffering from Vitamin B12 deficiency, it can result in anemia, as this vitamin is required for the manufacture of RBCs. A person can get Vitamin B12 through animal products, such as meats, fish, eggs, dairy products and poultry. Many vegetarians as a result suffer from deficiency of this vitamin and also are anemic.

Another vitamin that is required for the manufacture of hemoglobin is Vitamin B6 or folate. This vitamin is present in beef liver, salmon, yellow fin tuna and chickpeas. Also, nowadays, many breakfast cereals have added vitamin in them.

Unfortunately, certain health conditions and genetics can make a person prone to anemia. Diseases such as kidney problems, diabetes, liver problems, certain types of cancer, heart disease and thyroid disorders can result in anemia. Also, if a person's family has a history of anemia, the chances of the person getting anemia is high. Sickle cell anemia and thalassemia are two types of inherited anemia that a person can get.

If you think you are anemic, request your doctor for a blood test. This will reveal your RBC count and allow the doctor to make a diagnosis. Once anemia is confirmed, the doctor will recommend further course of action.

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