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Anemia (also spelled anaemia in British English) is a blood disorder in which the blood has a reduced ability to carry oxygen.This can be due to a lower than normal number of red blood cells, a reduction in the amount of hemoglobin available for oxygen transport, or abnormalities in hemoglobin that impair its function.
Pernicious anemia is the most common cause of clinically evident vitamin B 12 deficiency worldwide. [14] Pernicious anemia due to autoimmune problems occurs in about one per 1000 people in the US. Among those over the age of 60, about 2% have the condition. [8] It more commonly affects people of northern European descent. [2]
Acquired reversible sideroblastic anemia. Causes include excessive alcohol use (the most common cause of sideroblastic anemia), pyridoxine deficiency (vitamin B 6 is the cofactor in the first step of heme synthesis [8]), lead poisoning [9] and copper deficiency. [10]
Red blood cells normally survive an average of about 120 days, becoming damaged (their oxygen-carrying capacity becomes compromised) as they age.
Nutritional anemia can be caused by a lack of iron, protein, vitamin B12, and other vitamins and minerals that are needed for the formation of hemoglobin. However, Iron deficiency anemia is the most common nutritional disorder. [7] Signs of anemia include cyanosis, jaundice, and easy bruising. [7]
Rare acquired causes of microcytic anemia include lead poisoning, zinc deficiency, copper deficiency, alcohol, and certain medications. [3] Other causes that are typically thought of as causing normocytic anemia or macrocytic anemia must also be considered, as the presence of two or more causes of anemia can distort the typical picture.
The leading cause of iron-deficiency anemia worldwide is a parasitic disease known as a helminthiasis caused by infestation with parasitic worms ; specifically, hookworms. The hookworms most commonly responsible for causing iron-deficiency anemia include Ancylostoma duodenale , Ancylostoma ceylanicum , and Necator americanus .
Before iron deficiency anemia sets in, “the body will do everything it can to retain the right number of red blood cells. So, it will deplete the storage iron before it depletes the red blood ...