Anemia is a condition in which the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen to the bodys tissues. There are many types of anemia, and each type has different causes. Some of the most common causes of anemia include:

• Blood loss: This can be due to heavy periods, ulcers, colon polyps or colon cancer, or injury.
• Lack of red blood cell production: This can be due to a variety of factors, including a diet that doesnt have enough iron, folic acid, or vitamin B-12, blood disorders such as sickle cell anemia and thalassemia, or bone marrow and stem cell problems.
• High rates of red blood cell destruction: This can be due to hemolytic anemias, which occur when red blood cells are destroyed faster than bone marrow can replace them.

Other risk factors for anemia include age, certain medical conditions such as Crohns disease and celiac disease, and certain medications. If left untreated, anemia can cause many health problems, such as severe tiredness, heart problems, and pregnancy complications.