Anemia occurs when the red blood cells (RBCs) are unable to carry oxygen to the vital organs in the body, which, in turn, affects how they function. Hemoglobin, the red pigment in the red blood cells, which carries the oxygen plays a huge role.

Anemia due to iron deficiency
Anemia caused by iron-deficiency is the most common type of anemia. It occurs when the body does not produce the required amount of healthy red blood cells or produces imperfect blood cells. Iron-deficiency anemia occurs when the body does not contain enough iron. The human body requires iron to manufacture hemoglobin. The symptoms of iron deficiency anemia are fatigue, weakness, dizziness, headaches, and pale or yellow skin.

Doctors may recommend iron pills to help build up your iron levels; however, there are sources of iron such as oysters, beef liver, and lean beef. Vegans can opt for cereals and bread with added iron, lentils, beans, dark chocolate, and dark, green leafy vegetables.

Anemia due to vitamin B12 deficiency
Vitamin B12 deficiency reflects that the body is lacking or producing lesser amounts of vitamins. Vitamin B12 is required to produce red blood cells, which carries oxygen through your body, leading to anemia. Symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency are feeling weak and tired. The affected person may also feel lightheaded, having bleeding gums, and diarrhea or constipation. Some people tend to feel numbness or tingling in their fingers and toes.

Foods such as meat, seafood, milk products, poultry, and eggs, cereals that are fortified with vitamin B12 are great for this condition.

Anemia due to folic acid deficiency
Folic acid is an essential vitamin for the production of red blood cells. Lower production of red cells deprives the body of an adequate supply of oxygen, resulting in anemia. Folic acid deficiency is due to an insufficient intake of folic acid or an inability to absorb folic acid. Symptoms of folic acid deficiency anemia are severe fatigue and weakness, pale skin, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, gazed-looking tongue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Folic acid can be obtained by eating fresh, green leafy vegetables, fruits, mushrooms, kidney beans, yeast, and meats, such as liver and kidney.

Anemia due to chronic disease
This type of anemia is also known as anemia of inflammation and chronic disease. The major causes of chronic disease anemia are:

• Cancer
• Chronic kidney disease
• Heart failure
• Obesity
• Rejection of a transplanted organ
• Auto-immune disease

Treating the actual disease will result in the cure of anemia.

Anemia due to sickle cell disease
Sickle cell disease is a rare occurrence related to abnormal hemoglobin molecules produced due to genetic conditions. A normal red blood cell is circular while the blood cells of an affected person would be sickle-shaped. Irregularity in the shape of the blood cells affects the blood flow, thereby affecting the oxygen carried to the organs. There is no cure available; however, treatment to help pain may be administered.

Anemia due to blood loss
Blood loss anemia occurs due to excessive blood loss. One of the most serious reasons reported is trauma. Internal bleeding is usually caused due to:

• Excess alcohol abuse
• Inflammatory bowel diseases
• Anal fissures
• Hemorrhoids
• Menorrhagia
• Peptic ulcer