Anemia is a term that most of us are familiar with, either because we or someone close to us has suffered from it. It is a condition that occurs when organs don't get enough oxygen to function properly.
The cause is in the blood, which suffers a lack of healthy red blood cells or these are abnormal. It can also be caused by low or abnormal hemoglobin.
Anemia causes symptoms such as fatigue, being one of the most common blood conditions in the world. Women, children and people with chronic diseases are the most likely to develop it.
Certain forms of anemia are hereditary, that is, they pass from generation to generation. In this way, babies can be affected as early as birth.
Women of childbearing age are particularly susceptible to anemia. Iron deficiency due to menstrual blood loss and increased demands on the blood supply during pregnancy are often the culprits. Older people are also at higher risk of developing anemia due to poor diet and certain medical conditions that are often associated with aging.
There are many types of anemia, all of which are very different in their causes and treatments. Iron deficiency anemia is the most common type and it can be easily treated with dietary changes and iron supplements. There are forms that are considered even normal, such as mild anemia, which develops during pregnancy. Other types are more serious, since they can present health problems throughout the life of the person who suffers from it.