- The three main causes of anaemia are: blood loss, lack of red blood cell production and high rates of red blood cell destruction
- Blood loss is the most common cause of anaemia, especially iron-deficiency anaemia. Blood loss can be short term or persist over time.
- Heavy menstrual periods or bleeding in the digestive or urinary tract can cause blood loss. Surgery, trauma, or cancer also can cause blood loss.
- If a lot of blood is lost, the body may lose enough red blood cells to cause anaemia.
- Both acquired and inherited conditions and factors can prevent your body from making enough red blood cells. “Acquired” means you aren’t born with the condition, but you develop it. “Inherited” means your parents passed the gene for the condition on to you.
- Acquired conditions and factors that can lead to anaemia include poor diet, abnormal hormone levels, some chronic (ongoing) diseases, and pregnancy.
- A plastic anaemia also can prevent your body from making enough red blood cells. This condition can be acquired or inherited.
- A diet that lacks iron, folic acid (folate), or vitamin B12 can prevent your body from making enough red blood cells. Your body also needs small amounts of vitamin C, riboflavin, and copper to make red blood cells.
- Conditions that make it hard for your body to absorb nutrients also can prevent your body from making enough red blood cells.
- Chronic diseases, like kidney disease and cancer, can make it hard for your body to make enough red blood cells.
- Some cancer treatments may damage the bone marrow or damage the red blood cells’ ability to carry oxygen. If the bone marrow is damaged, it can’t make red blood cells fast enough to replace the ones that die or are destroyed.
- People who have HIV/AIDS may develop anaemia due to infections or medicines used to treat their diseases.
Source: gbhealthwatch
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