Anemia is a blood disorder that causes a shortage or reduction in the number of red blood cells in the blood. Red blood cells (or RBCs) have hemoglobin, a protein compound carrying oxygen throughout the body tissues. When the body produces less red blood cells, the amount of hemoglobin is low, and your body cannot get the necessary oxygen to function.
Common types of anemia include the following:

1. Iron deficiency anemia
It occurs when the body lacks and cannot get enough of the mineral iron. Iron is a crucial mineral in the synthesis of hemoglobin. Common causes are low iron diet, heavy menstrual periods, regular blood donation, bleeding gun or kidney, lack of folic acid and B12, RBCs problems, and bone marrow problems. Symptoms of iron deficiency anemia include:

• General weakness
• Pale or yellowish skin
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Irregular heartbeat
• Cold hands and feet
• Poor Circulation in limbs
• Brittle nails

Risk factors for this anemia type include women of childbearing age, pregnant women, poor diet, people who donate blood frequently, premature infants, a vegetarian diet without iron-rich foods. Treatment options for iron deficiency anemia for adults may include Injectafer iron deficient anemia used in treating anemia (a type of ferric carboxymaltose injection), surgery to remove a bleeding polyp, tumor or fibroid, antibiotics, oral medication, and increasing iron rich foods in the diet.

2. Sickle cell anemia
Sickle cell anemia is a disease in which the red blood cells take the shape of a crescent or sickle allowing them to be easily deformed and unable to function properly and lacks healthy RBCs to carry oxygen. This type is often caused by a genetic mutation in the gene that tells the body to make an iron-rich compound that makes up the RBCs. With sickle cell anemia, hemoglobin becomes abnormal in shape and rigid and cannot carry oxygen. Symptoms of sickle cell anemia may include:

• Periodic episodes of pain
• Pale or yellowish skin
• Frequent infections
• Delayed growth
• Poor eyesight

Ricks factors include receiving abnormal genes from both parents, ethnic background people of Sub-Saharan Africa and parts of South American, as well as Greece. Treatment for sickle cell patients may include a stem cell transplant in children.

3. Pernicious anemia
Pernicious anemia is a type of megaloblastic anemia (meaning the number of red blood cells is lower than average) caused due to the lack of a substance called intrinsic factor, causing a deficiency in vitamin B12. The vitamin B12 is used in synthesis of protein called thymidine and deficiency in this protein commonly causes abnormalities in red blood cells. Causes of pernicious anemia are often due to lack of intrinsic factor, a protein secreted by the parietal cells of the gastric mucosa, and are often contributed by old age and celiac disease. Symptoms include:

• Fatigue
• Dizziness
• Chest pain
• Pale skin

Risk factors for pernicious anemia include a pre-existing history of the disease via a family member, type 1 diabetes, an underlying autoimmune condition, intestinal diseases (i.e., Crohn’s disease), and a previous stomach surgery. Treatment typically consists of vitamin B12 injections and blood therapy.

4. Hemolytic anemia
The typical lifespan of red blood cells is about 120 days. Acquired hemolytic anemia occurs when the body gets signals to destroy red blood cells although they are healthy and normal. These healthy red blood cells are broken up and the body is unable to replace those destroyed. Inherited hemolytic only occurs when both parents pass a gene for hemolytic anemia onto their offspring. Causes of hemolytic anemia include exposure to harmful substances (i.e., recreational drugs), enlarged spleen, toxins from damaged liver, and existing sickle cell anemia. Symptoms include:

• Fatigue
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Shortness of breath
• Pale skin
• Dark-colored urine

Risk factors for hemolytic anemia include the taking of harmful drugs, viral Infections ( i.e., pneumonia), collagen vascular disease, and a family history of the disease. Treatment typically includes blood transfusion, spleen removal, folic acid, and doctors may prescribe medications to weaken the immune system and stop the body from attacking healthy red blood cells.