7 Factors Cause Anemia, Starting From Lack Of Iron To Kidney Disease

Illustration of the factors that cause anemia from iron deficiency to kidney disease (Freepic)

YOGYAKARTA - Anemia is a condition when your blood is short of healthy red blood cells or sufficient hemoglobin, so it is difficult for the body to bring oxygen to all parts of the body. This condition can make you quickly tired, dizzy, pale, or short of breath. Because there are many factors that cause anemia, understanding what triggers can help you identify the risks early and get the right treatment.

This is the most common cause of anemia in the world, reported by the Mayo Clinic, Monday, December 1. Iron is needed to form hemoglobin, namely protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. If the body lacks iron due to an unbalanced diet, digestive problems, or bleeding, the production of red blood cells decreases and triggers anemia.

Vitamin B12 and folate play an important role in the healthy and mature production of red blood cells. This lack of these two nutrients can occur in people with less nutritious diets, extreme diets, intestinal disorders, or certain autoimmune conditions. As a result, the body produces abnormal red blood cells that are unable to work optimally.

Visible or hidden bleeding can cause the body to lose significant amounts of red blood cells. Heavy menstruation, surgery, injury, or bleeding of the cerna channel such as due to hatchlings and polyps can cause the body to lose blood and red blood cells. If blood is lost continuously, the body is unable to replace the lost blood cells quite quickly.

In this condition, red blood cells are damaged more quickly than their formation. The causes can be from congenital disorders, infections, autoimmune diseases, or certain drug side effects. The quickly destroyed red blood cells cause the body to lack oxygen supply even though blood cell production continues.

Bone Sumsum that does not work optimally can reduce the production of red blood cells. In chronic kidney disease, reported by the National Kidney Foundation, the production of the Erythropoietin hormone (EPO) decreases, so that the bone cord does not receive orders to make new red blood cells. In addition, chronic inflammation and iron utilization disorders also make anemia worse in this condition.

Some long-term diseases such as chronic infections, autoimmune disease, and cancer can inhibit the production of red blood cells. Citing the American Society of Hematology, the inflammatory body makes the use of iron hampered or the bone cord less responsive. As a result, levels of red blood cells continue to decline even though nutritional intake is sufficient.

Some anemia occurs due to genetic disorders that affect the structure or function of hemoglobin. This condition can make red blood cells more fragile or not well formed. Because it is innate, this type of anemia is often long-term and requires continuous medical monitoring.

Each factor that causes anemia requires a different treatment. For example, anemia due to iron deficiency cannot be treated in the same way as anemia due to kidney disease or genetic disorder. Therefore, blood tests and medical consultations are needed to determine the right treatment steps.

Knowing that anemia can be triggered by many factors helps you to be more aware of the signs. If you often feel weak, dizzy, or pale for no apparent reason, don't ignore it. Check your health early so that the cause of anemia can be known and treated from an early age.