Anemia is a condition where there is a lower than normal number of red blood cells in the blood, usually measured by a decrease in the amount of hemoglobin. " It is a common problem for cancer patients and often results from the therapies used to suppress or control tumors. Anemia is associated with fatigue - a feeling of weakness or diminished physical and mental capacity unrelieved by rest (fatigue). Additional symptoms include diminished ability to perform daily functions and possibly impaired cognitive function, headache, dizziness, chest pain and shortness of breath, nausea, depression and occasionally pain.

There are three main ways anemia is developed: blood loss, reduced or dysfunctional red blood cell production or the destruction of red blood cells in the blood. In this article we will discuss the most common types causes by each of the three main factors are well as the treatments for each type mentioned.

Types & causes of Anemia

1) Macrocytic anemia: Macrocytic anemia can be further divided into "megaloblastic anemia" or "non-megaloblastic macrocytic anemia". The cause of megaloblastic anemia is primarily a failure of DNA synthesis with preserved RNA synthesis, which result in restricted cell division of the progenitor cells.

2) Microcytic anemia: Microcytic anemia caused due to hemoglobin synthesis failure or insufficiency. Iron deficiency anemia is the common type of anemia so it has many causes. RBCs often appear hypochromic (paler than usual) and microcytic (smaller than usual) when viewed with a microscope

3) Normocytic anemia :Normocytic anaemia causes when the overall Hb levels are decreased, but the red blood cell size (MCV) remains normal.

• Autoimmune disorder. Lupus, one of the autoimmune disorders, can inflict injuries to the body through attacking the healthy cells inside the bone marrow.

• Use of medication. Certain types of antibiotics and drugs that have strong formulation of chemicals can cause aplastic anemia.

• Radiation or chemotherapy treatments. This procedure aims to kill cancerous cells but at the same time, they can also damage the body's healthy cells.

• Benzene exposure. This is a known carcinogen and toxic substance that when inhaled or ingested for a long period of time may leave fatal effects on the body.

Sickle cell anemia is caused by genetics. The cause of this type of anemia is inheritance. African Americans are often susceptible to sickle cell as they are in contracting tuberculosis (tb). Researchers don't know why this is.

Normally our blood cells are round and they flow through the vessels of our body easily. Sickle cells are bean shaped, which doesn't allow them to flow through the vessels. As a result, they get stuck in the vessel and these cells block blood from freely flowing to other parts of the body. The result is pain, serious infections and/or damage to the organs.

Symptoms of anemia, though vague can subtly be observed as the following:

-Excessive restlessness and easy tiring out of the body

-Fatigue due to insufficient oxygen supply throughout the body

-Increased pulse rate

-Difficulties in breathing

-Lack in concentration

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