Anemia is characterized as a lack of adequate healthy red blood cells in the body. Red blood cells are responsible for transporting oxygen to bodily cells and tissues. Anemia exists in several types all with different causes, however, patients with all types of anemia experience symptoms of fatigue and weakness. Here are the most common forms of anemia:

1. Iron deficiency anemia
This type occurs when the iron is too insufficient for the body to produce enough red blood cells to carry oxygen and may leave people tired and breathless. This type of anemia is usually corrected with iron supplementation. A healthy, protein rich diet can also help prevent anemia. Symptoms and signs can appear based on the cause. Symptoms of iron deficiency anemia may include extreme fatigue, weakness, pale skin, chest pain, fast heartbeat, shortness of breath, cold limbs, inflammation or soreness of the tongue, brittle nails, unusual cravings for non-nutritive substances, and bad appetite. Causes include blood loss, a lack of iron in the person’s diet, an inability to absorb iron, and pregnancy.

2. Vitamin deficiency anemia
Not enough foods that contain folate, vitamin B-12, or vitamin C are eaten, or people’s bodies have trouble absorbing or processing the aforementioned vitamins. Signs and symptoms can include shortness of breath, fatigue, dizziness, irregular heartbeats, yellowish skin, numbness or tingling in limbs, weight loss, muscle weakness, personality changes, unsteady movements, mental confusion, and forgetfulness. Causes include folate deficiency anemia, vitamin B-12 deficiency anemia, and vitamin C deficiency anemia. This amenia results in an increased risk of pregnancy complications, nervous system disorders, and scurvy.

3. Aplastic anemia
The human body no longer sufficiently produces new blood cells, making it tired and more vulnerable to uncontrollable bleeding and infections. Symptoms can include fatigue, shortness of breath, irregular or rapid heart rate, frequent infections, pale skin, unexplained bruising, nosebleeds, bleeding gums, skin rash, bleeding from cuts, headache, dizziness, and fever. Causes can include treatments for radiation and chemotherapy, exposure to toxic chemicals, use of certain drugs, autoimmune disorders, a viral infection, and pregnancy. Avoiding herbicides, insecticides, paint removers, organic solvents, and other toxic chemicals can lower the risk of the disease.

4. Hemolytic anemia
Red blood cells get destroyed quicker than they are made. There are two hemolytic anemias, inherited hemolytic anemia which children can get from their parents, and acquired hemolytic anemia which is developed later. Symptoms include abnormal paleness, lack of color of the skin, jaundice, dark-colored urine, fever, weakness, dizziness, confusion, inability to handle physical activity, increased heart rate, and a heart murmur. Causes can include sickle cell anemia, thalassemia, infections, drugs, snake or spider venom, toxins from an advanced disease of the kidney or liver, inappropriate attack by the immune system, vascular grafts, prosthetic heart valves, tumors, severe burns, certain chemicals, severe hypertension, clotting disorders, and an enlarged spleen.

5. Sickle cell anemia
The healthy red blood cells are not enough to carry oxygen throughout the body in patients with sickle cell anemia, a type of inherited red blood cell disorder. The symptoms include pain, swelling of limbs, frequent infections, delayed growth or puberty, and vision problems. A cause is hemoglobin S. This type of anemia gets its name from the abnormal shape of blood cells, which become sickle or crescent moon shaped in patients. Health red blood cells are normally flexible and round in shape so they can easily be transported through blood vessels.