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Anaemia, more commonly known as anemia, is a condition which results
in a reduction of either the number of red blood cells or the amount
of hemoglobin in the blood. This causes a decrease in the amount of
oxygen that the blood is able to carry.
Because the
cells have less oxygen available to them, they have less
energy to perform their normal functions and important processes
such as cell building and repair and muscular activity slows
down.
The causes
of anaemia are anything resulting in a lack of formation
or production of red blood cells, or that results in the
rapid destruction of red blood cells. This includes: bone
marrow disease, chronic inflammation in the body, dietary
deficiencies (especially folic acid, iron, and Vitamins
B6 and B12), diverticular disease, drug use, heavy menstrual
bleeding, hemorrhoids, hormonal disorders, infections, peptic
ulcers, repeated pregnancies, rheumatoid arthritis, sickle
cell disease, surgery and thyroid disorders.
The most
common cause of anaemia, however, is iron deficiency. Iron
is an important factor in anaemia because it is used to
make hemoglobin, the part of red blood cells that attach
to the oxygen and transport it. The sole purpose of red
blood cells is to provide oxygen to the body, but they can
only live for about 120 days before they need to be replenished.
If the supply of iron is depleted in the body, the formation
of red blood cells is impaired.
Anemia can produce
such symptoms as: appetite loss, constipation, headaches and irritability.
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