The Different Types Of Anemia

There are different types of anemia, but before explaining them, it is convenient to remember some questions, starting with what anemia is.

Anemia is a condition in which the number of red blood cells is so low that not enough oxygen reaches all parts of the body. To better understand this, imagine that your blood is a river.

Ships (red blood cells) carry parcels (oxygen) on this river, but each barge carries only a certain amount of oxygen. If you don’t have enough red blood cells, it is impossible for blood to flow with enough oxygen, and as a result, you will start to feel weak and tired.

A short climb up the stairs can take your breath away and even resting for a couple of days may not make you feel uplifted.

If this example describes how you feel, consult your doctor, as it is necessary that you receive early treatment for any of the types of anemia or other health problems you may have.

Types of anemia

Anemia is not an all-inclusive term, there are different types of this disease.

Some types are the result of a malfunction in the body, such as early destruction of red blood cells (hemolytic anemia), an inherited structural defect of red blood cells (sickle cell anemia), or an inability to perform or use hemoglobin (sideroblastic anemia).

However, the most common forms of anemia are the result of a nutritional deficiency and can often be resolved with doctor guidelines and improved eating habits.

Iron deficiency anemia

According to this study published in 2009 and carried out by a team of researchers from the Ramón y Cajal University Hospital in Madrid, iron deficiency anemia occurs when the body does not have enough iron to produce hemoglobin, causing the red cells of the blood to reduce in size.

And if there is not enough hemoglobin produced, the body’s tissues do not receive the oxygen they need to feed. Children under three years of age and premenopausal women are most at risk of developing iron deficiency anemia.

Most children simply do not get enough iron in their diets, while in premenopausal women, heavy menstrual periods are the most common cause of iron deficiency anemia.

Pregnant women can also suffer from anemia, since during pregnancy, a woman’s blood volume increases three times, and her iron needs also increase.

Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia

Although iron deficiency anemia produces smaller red blood cells than normal, vitamin B12 deficiency anemia produces large red blood cells.

This makes it difficult for the body to absorb red blood cells, through vessels and veins, as it is like trying to absorb a marble through a string.

Red blood cells deficient in vitamin B12 also tend to die more quickly than normal cells. Most people consume at least the minimum amount of B12 they need.

Older people are at higher risk for vitamin B12 deficiency, as they are more likely to have conditions that affect the body’s ability to absorb vitamin B12.

Surgical removal of parts of the stomach or small intestine, atrophic gastritis, and disorders such as Crohn’s disease can interfere with the body’s ability to absorb vitamin B12.

Causes of this anemia

The most common cause of this type of vitamin B12 deficiency anemia is a lack of a protein called intrinsic factor.

Under normal conditions, intrinsic factor is secreted by the stomach and its job is to help absorb vitamin B12. Without intrinsic factor, the vitamin B12 you consume in your diet just floats off as waste.

In some people, it is a genetic defect that causes the body to stop producing intrinsic factor. In other people it can be an autoimmune reaction, in which the body mistakenly attacks the cells of the stomach that produce the protein.

Older people are especially at risk (according to this study carried out by a team from the University of Chile), in fact, 1 in 100 people over 60 years of age are diagnosed with pernicious anemia.

Pernicious anemia can be particularly dangerous because it causes neurological problems, such as difficulty walking, poor concentration, depression, memory loss, and irritability. These can usually be reversed if the condition is treated early.

Unfortunately, in the case of pernicious anemia, the stomach cannot absorb vitamin B12, regardless of a balanced and healthy diet.

Treatment consists of injections of vitamin B12, usually once a month, that bypass the stomach and deliver the vitamin directly into the bloodstream.

Discover: What is vitamin B12 and how does it help us prevent anemia?

Folic acid deficiency anemia

A deficiency in folic acid produces large red blood cells, as does a deficiency in vitamin B12.

One of the most common causes of this type of anemia is simply not consuming enough foods that contain it often.

The body does not store folic acid for long periods, as it does with many other nutrients, so if you are not getting enough in your diet, you can have problems.

Pregnant women are at increased risk of folic acid deficiency anemia because the need for this nutrient increases to two-thirds during pregnancy.

Is it possible to prevent anemia?

By maintaining good lifestyle habits and following the doctor’s guidelines, it is possible to prevent the different types of anemia. Therefore, it is essential to always take care of your health and avoid, as far as possible, postpone or do without medical check-ups.