Anemia is a condition in which the body does not have sufficient healthy red blood cells (RBCs) to carry oxygen to the different tissues. The disorder can last for short or long and can be mild or severe. It can occur in children as well as adults. One can treat anemia by taking iron supplements, undergoing a medical examination, and eating a balanced diet. This article discusses the different types and symptoms of anemia.

Types of anemia
Anemia can be of various kinds, some of which are discussed below.

1. Aplastic anemia
This is a rare type of anemia that can occur at any age. In this condition, enough new RBCs cannot be produced by the body, leading to tiredness, fatigue, and susceptibility to infections. The common symptoms include fever, skin rashes, and infections regularly.

2. Thalassemia
This is genetically occurring anemia. In this medical condition, the body has less hemoglobin than required, resulting in tiredness. If one has a severe type of this disease, they need blood transfusions. Mild cases don’t need blood transfusions and can be treated with medications.

3. Vitamin deficiency anemia
When there is a deficiency of healthy RBCs in the body due to a lack of vitamins, it is called vitamin deficiency anemia. This type of anemia is mostly caused by the deficiency of vitamin B12 and C. The deficiency can be due to non-absorption by the body or insufficient intake.

4. Folic acid deficiency anemia
The anemia caused by the lack of folic acid in the body is called folic acid deficiency anemia. It is characterized by diarrhea and irritability, along with weakness and fatigue.

5. Sickle cell anemia
Sickle cell anemia is inherited. In this type of condition, the normally round RBCs are shaped like sickles. These sickle-shaped cells cannot move around freely and get stuck in the blood vessels, resulting in blockage of blood flow and oxygen to various body parts.

6. Iron deficiency anemia
In this type of anemia, the blood runs short of healthy blood cells due to the lack of iron in RBCs. It could also be due to menstruation, regular blood donations, or certain medications.

Symptoms
The common symptoms of anemia include one or a mix of the following:

• Shortness of blood
• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Chest pain
• Irregular heartbeat

The signs may vary from person to person. If a person faces these symptoms regularly, they should visit a doctor.