Feeling tired and sleepy all the time? Know if you are suffering from Anemia: Causes, Symptoms & Types

A lot of us feel tired, sleepy and in no mood to do work. We neglect these small symptoms, which could lead to a serious disorder. Anemia is the most common blood disorder and currently affects more than 3 million Americans. Globally, 1.62 billion people suffer from anemia that accounts for 2.48% of the population. 

What is Anemia?

Anemia is a condition in which there is a decrease in the number of red blood cells in the body. You do not have enough red blood cells to carry oxygen to the body’s tissues. The main symptom of anemia is fatigue because your organs are not getting enough oxygen to function properly. 

Anemia can be temporary as well as long term. It can range from mild to severe. More than 400 types of anemia have been identified. Certain forms of anemia are hereditary and infants may be affected from the time of birth. Older adults have greater chance of developing anemia because of poor diet and medical conditions. 

Anemia

Symptoms of Anemia

The signs and symptoms of anemia may vary depending on the cause of your anemia, the type of anemia and the severity. The most common symptom is lack of energy.

Some of the common symptoms include:

Anemia

Anemia is mild at first so the symptoms go unnoticed. However, with time the symptoms become worse. 

Causes of Anemia 

There are various causes of anemia with different symptoms. Our body has three different kinds of blood cells – white blood cells, platelets and red blood cells. These red blood cells contain haemoglobin that enables the red blood cells to carry oxygen from your lungs to other parts of the body.

A decrease in these red blood cells causes anemia. Here are the different types of anemia and their causes.

Causes of chronic bleeding:

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Causes of this type of anemia:

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Causes of excessive hemolysis:

If you notice any of the symptoms, consult your doctor at the earliest. A proper diagnosis through appropriate tests can solve your problem. Follow a healthy diet, especially a diet rich in iron. Iron-rich diet can help to alleviate the symptoms of anemia.