Anemia is caused when your blood lacks hemoglobin or red blood cells. Hemoglobin is an important constituent of red blood cells and it binds oxygen. Having too few or abnormal red blood cells means having a low amount of hemoglobin in your body which basically means your body will not get enough oxygen thus falling prey to fatigue. Anemia may be caused by a lot of factors, one of which is vitamin deficiency. Here is a lowdown on the causes, symptoms and treatment for vitamin deficiency anemia.
What Is Vitamin Deficiency Anemia?
Vitamin deficiency anemia arises due to lack of vitamin B12 or folate. Both these vitamins are needed for the production of red blood cells in the body. A lack of vitamin B12 can lead to anemia meaning your body doesn’t have enough red blood cells to do its job properly. This may lead to fatigue and a continuous state of feeling tired. This deficiency can also cause damage to nerves affecting your cognition powers (memory and thinking).
What Causes Vitamin B12 Deficiency Anemia?
The most common reason for a deficiency of vitamin B12 is your diet. Most people can get their share by eating eggs, meat, milk and cheese. Normally it is easily absorbed and digested by your stomach but sometimes that may not be the case. Your digestive system may fail to perform its functions sue to the following reasons:
1. If you suffer from pernicious anemia in which your body destroys the cells of your stomach responsible for absorbing vitamin B12.
2. If you have had surgery to remove ileum, which is the last part of your small intestine.
3. If you suffer from other diseases such as celiac disease which affects the way your body digest food or Crohn’s disease, growth of bacteria or parasite in your small intestine.
Symptoms And Treatment
Anemia caused by vitamin or folate deficiency displays the same symptoms as anemia caused due to other factors. This may include paleness, fatigue and weakness. In some cases your nerves may also be affected leading to tingling, memory and sensation loss.
The treatment for this kind of anemia comprises of replacing the deficient vitamin. Vitamin B12 can be injected or given through tablets and pills on daily and weekly basis until the levels return to normal. People with vitamin B12 deficiency are advised to take supplements to compensate for their body requirement.