Anemia
Anemia is a condition with less than the average amount of red blood cells or less than the usual amount of hemoglobin in the blood. It can be caused by many things, including blood loss, poor nutrition, chronic diseases, or side effects of medications.
The symptoms of anemia may include fatigue, pale skin, headache, nausea, and abdominal pain. The most severe form of anemia is called iron deficiency anemia. In addition, it can cause shortness of breath and heart palpitations.
Iron deficiency anemia is the most common type of anemia caused by inadequate amounts of iron in the diet. It can be caused by blood loss due to heavy periods or gastrointestinal bleeding from peptic ulcers or colon cancer. Vegetarians are also at increased risk for iron deficiency because they do not consume meat or other foods that are good sources of iron. Pregnancy and breastfeeding can also contribute to iron deficiency because women lose blood during these periods.
